Box Score SEATTLE, Wash. – Down two sets to zero, the Alaska volleyball team mounted an incredible rally that fell just short in a thrilling but heartbreaking five set loss to the Falcons of Seattle Pacific on Saturday night.
Alaska (2-17, 2-9 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) lost a tough first two sets by scores of 22-25 and 20-25 before storming back to take the next two sets 25-16 and 25-22. Then, in the fifth set, the Nanooks pushed the Falcons (11-8, 5-6 GNAC) to the limit before falling just short in a 13-15 loss.
"I'm so proud of my team," said head coach
Mallory Larranaga. ""We had an incredible defensive night at the net and in the back court.
Sam Harthun dominated as a six position athlete and
Tessa Butterfield and
Samantha Hesterman led the back court like true veterans."
Harthun did indeed dominate as she had a match-high 29 kills, more than double any other player. But she was not alone in the Nanook attack as both
Brooke Mattice (12) and
Maddie Davis (11) recorded double-digit kills.
Miranda Grieser was also instrumental in the Nanook attack as she contributed a match and career-high 49 assists to go along with three service aces.
Davis and
Riley Podowicz were also beasts at the net defensively, as they contributed eight and 11 total blocks, respectively.
In the back court Butterfield led the team with 17 digs while Davis (11), Hesterman (11) and
Meagan Olsen (10) all produced double-figure digs.
"Tessa, Sam and Samantha kept us focused all game," continued Larranaga. "They led with confidence, and that's what you love seeing. It was a heartbreaking loss, but we are stronger because of it."
The Nanooks will look to build off the positives quickly, as they return home for a Thursday-Saturday swing against Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington.
