FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Despite capturing the first two sets of the night, the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team fell in five sets to the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference match at the Alaska Airlines Court on Saturday night. The Nanooks drop to 2-23 overall (1-17 GNAC), while the Crusaders improve to 18-7 overall (11-7 GNAC).
"Overall, I'm really proud of how we played against NNU tonight. We came into tonight's game with the right mind-set, ready to compete and battle against a regionally ranked opponent, they are a great competitor," head coach Brian Scott said following Saturday' game. "I thought they had their hands full with us and for the most part we did really well, as it went on a little while longer, systematically, some things kind of broke down as far as defense goes, which I think cost us a couple of points. But overall, I thought these girls really went to battle tonight and they aren't afraid to play hard against anyone."
Northwest Nazarene barely edged the Nanooks in the six major statistical categories, but it was Alaska who out-served their opponents, as the Nooks recorded seven service aces to NNU's three. Alaska collected 76.0 points on the night and also produced 60 kills, nine blocks, 60 assists and 56 digs.
Redshirt-libero Meagan Olsen collected a team-high 22 digs for the Nanooks, while also dishing three assists. Junior setter Rachel Nichols recorded 50 assists for the Nanooks, five aces, five digs, two kills and two block assists for one of her best performances of the season.
Sophomore outside hitter Amberly Jeane recorded a double-double against the Crusaders, collecting 10 digs and 13 kills for 15.0 points for Alaska. The Pearland, Texas native also chipped in one assist, one solo block and two block assists in the five-set match.
Junior outside hitter Angela Molesworth paced Alaska's offense with 19 kills and two blocks for a team-high 20.5 points. Freshman middle blocker Kim Wong posted the team's best hitting percentage of the night with a .273, capturing 12 kills for the Nooks.
Northwest Nazarene was led by Kendra Bodine and Madi Farell, who each posted 20-kill nights. NNU's setter Hailey Cook dished a game-high 57 assists while libero Shayli Siegfried tallied a game-high 27 digs.
The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team hits the road for their final two games of the season this week, taking on the Saint Martin's Saints on Friday, Nov. 18 before facing the Seattle Pacific Falcons on Saturday, Nov. 19. Both games are slated to begin at 6pm AKST.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @NanooksVB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook.
