University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks women's volleyball team wrapped up its early-season tournament schedule last week in California, and now returns home this week to begin Great Northwest Athletic Conference play with games against Montana State Billings and Seattle Pacific University. The Yellowjackets visit the Patty Center Thursday night, and the Falcons come in to town Saturday. Both matches tip off at 7 p.m.
 
Alaska got into the win column for the first time in 2013 last week at the Route 92 Showdown in California. The win came in their last match of the weekend — a three-set sweep of co-tournament host Notre Dame de Namur. The Nanooks hit .352 in that match, a season high, and their third-highest team hitting percentage in the last five seasons.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Sam Harthun (Oregon City, Ore./Art) notched 61 kills in four matches at the tournament, bringing her team-leading season total to 174.Senior outside hitter Keri Knight (Arvada, Colo./Business Administration) (31 kills), junior middle blocker Britt Glaeser (Fairbanks, Alaska/Business Administration) (21) and junior middle blocker Morgan McGrath (18) also contributed to Alaska's offense.
 
Freshman setter Katelyn Camp (Newton, Iowa/General Studies) had 108 assists on the weekend. Junior libero Tessa Butterfield (Grass Valley, Calif./Justice) anchored the back line with 33 digs in the tournament to lead the team.
 
Harthun has continued to be the catalyst for the Nanooks' offense this season. This week, Harthun is ranked among the nation's best in three statistical categories. Her 4.54 points per set average is 27th-best in the country behind national leader Kate Lange of Minnesota Duluth (6.45). Harthun's 3.84 kills per set are ranked 39th, and her mark of 0.57 aces per set is 62nd.
 
Match #12: Montana State Billings at Alaska – Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. (AKDT)
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Montana State Billings (2-6) wrapped up its preseason tournament slate last weekend at the Seawolf Spike in Rohnert Park, Calif. The Yellowjackets went 1-3 in four matches against teams from the California Collegiate Athletic Association, including falling in straight sets (3-0) to host and 24th-ranked Sonoma State.
 
The Yellowjackets' offense is led by Monica Grimsrud, who has notched 105 kills (4.20 per set) so far this season. Grimsrud's 4.20 kills per set average is 19th- best in the nation and tops in the GNAC. Grimsrud also has 12 blocks and 57 digs to her name, both second on the team. Kyndal Williams has guided the MSUB offense with 261 assists in eight matches. As a team, the Yellowjackets have hit .191 this season.
 
Match #13: Seattle Pacific at Alaska – Saturday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. (AKDT)
Important Links: LIVE STATS     LIVE VIDEO
Seattle Pacific (4-4) split in both of their preseason tournaments, putting them at .500 entering GNAC play. Most recently, the team took part in the Route 92 Showdown in California, picking up victories against Holy Names and Cal State LA, while falling to Azusa Pacific and co-tournament host Cal State East Bay.
 
The Falcons feature a balanced attack that has given them three players at the 80-kills mark. Nikki Lowell (89), Madi Cavell (88) and Ellie Britt (84) have all shared offensive duties for SPU this season. The Falcons have only hit .123 as a team, but they have held opponents to a .158 hitting percentage with a defense anchored by five players who have recorded at least 52 digs, and three who have recorded at least 24 total blocks. Brianna Leenders heads the dig category with 105, while Lowell has tallied 40 total blocks. Lowell's 1.41 blocks per set average is fifth-best in the country.