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FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Junior middle blocker Britt Glaeser (Fairbanks, Alaska/Business Administration) set a new career high with 11 kills Thursday, but it was visiting Saint Martin's who came away with the 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-22) Great Northwest Athletic Conference win at the Patty Center.
Glaeser eclipsed her previous career best of 10 kills by hitting a team-leading .364 in the match for the Nanooks (2-14, 1-4 GNAC). Senior outside hitter Keri Knight (Arvada, Colo./Business Administration) had 12 kills and hit .321 to lead the Nanooks. Knight's 12 kills were her second-best total of the season and her best through five conference matches.
The Saints (5-11, 1-3 GNAC) were led by Kristyn Ross with 15 kills and a .306 hitting percentage. Kyra Davidson had 10 kills and six total blocks, and Cymbree DeCosta led the team with 27 assists. Saint Martin's recorded nine total blocks as a team and held Alaska to a .127 hitting percentage, while hitting .219 itself. Alaska topped Saint Martin's in total team digs, 44-43.
The Nanooks fought off small runs by the Saints in the early-going of the first set, pulling within two through the set's first 18 points. Errors would plague the Nanooks later in the set though, as 11 total errors aided a 14-4 Saints run that put them on the cusp of clinching the first set at 24-12, before winning 25-15.
The second and third sets were both neck and neck, with Saint Martin's coming out on top in each one to complete the sweep. The two sets featured a combined six lead changes and 20 ties. Neither team held more than a three-point lead through the entirety of the second set. Saint Martin's held a four-point advantage only once in the third set.
The Saints' win in set two came only after fighting off a set point for the Nanooks at 24-23. They scored three straight points to take the set 26-24. Alaska held on to the end in the third set, tying the set at 20-20 before Saint Martin's finished off the victory with a 5-2 run and a 25-22 set win.
Alaska's home stand continues at 1 p.m. Saturday when the Nanooks host Western Oregon for "Family Day" at the Patty Center. Each purchase of at least one adult ticket and one child ticket together for Saturday's match will give families free soft drinks and one popcorn.
