FAIRBANKS, Alaska – After going 1-1 last weekend against Seattle Pacific and Saint Marin's, the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team travels to Burnaby, British Columbia to take on Simon Fraser University on Friday (Sept. 23), before facing No. 20 Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington on Saturday (Sept. 24). Both games are Great Northwest Athletic Conference games and are scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. AKT.
The Nanooks are 2-7 overall this season (1-1 GNAC), while Simon Fraser sits tied for first place in the GNAC standings (9-1 overall, 2-0 GNAC) and Western Washington (5-5 overall, 1-1) looks to extend their one-game winning streak.
Where to Watch & Listen
If fans aren't able to make this weekend's games, all Alaska Nanooks volleyball games (home and away) are streamed live for free through the Alaska Nanooks Stretch Portal. Fans have the option to watch the stream, follow the live stats or both. Please note that both away games this weekend are broadcasted through the respected home school (SFU and WWU).
Last Time Out
In last Thursday's (Sept. 15) home and conference opener, the Alaska Nanooks took down the Seattle Pacific Falcons in a dramatic five-set match in front of a season-high crowd of 331 at the Alaska Airlines Court. The Nanooks were able to hold off the Falcons to go 3-2, snapping a five-game losing streak.
In Saturday's (Sept. 17) match against Saint Martin's, the Nooks fought hard to push for a fifth set but ultimately dropped the final set 14-16 to fall to the Saints 2-3.
Davis' Double-Double
Last weekend, redshirt-junior Maddie Davis led the Nanooks offense against both SPU and SMU, recording a double-double in both matches. On Thursday's win over SPU, Davis registered 20 kills and 11 digs, while collecting 16 kills, 10 digs and two aces in Saturday's loss. Davis now ranks second on the Nanooks in total kills (87) and kills per set (2.42).
Helping Hand
Junior setter Rachel Nichols finished last weekend's games totaling 118 assists over the two matches, including a personal-best 64-assist-night against Saint Martin's. Nichols now ranks fifth in the GNAC in assists per set with 9.57. The Riverton, Utah ranks first amongst Nanooks with 354 total assists this season.
Ace, Ace Baby
The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team ranks within the top-40 NCAA Division II schools with an average of 1.84 aces per set and within the top-50 with 68 total aces. Junior middle blocker Riley Podowicz leads the pack for the Nanooks, averaging 0.43 aces per set.
If It's Wong, I don't Want to be Right
Freshman middle blocker Kim Wong is making a name for herself in the conference in her rookie season, as the Spokane, Washington native ranks third in the GNAC with a .333 hitting percentage. Wong has recorded 73 total kills thus far, with her personal-best hitting percentage game coming on Sept. 9 vs. Stanislaus State, where Wong collected seven kills and no errors for a .583 hitting percentage.
D-Fence
Redshirt-senior Meagan Olsen leads the Nanooks defense, totaling 132 total digs this season so far. Olsen averages 3.57 digs per set, ranking her 12th in the GNAC.
Scouting the Competition – Simon Fraser
Last weekend, the Clan recorded a five-set victory over then-No. 19 Western Washington before cruising to a three-set victory over Montana State Billings to extend their winning streak to nine games. The Clan are fighting for the number one spot in the GNAC standings with Alaska Anchorage, as both teams are undefeated in conference place (2-0).
Senior setter Tamara Nipp was named the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, after posting 112 assists against WWU and MSUB last weekend. The Nanooks need to look out for senior outside hitter Emma Jennings and sophomore middle blocker Tessa May. Jennings has led the Clan in the pas two games with 32 kills, while May is ranked eighth in the GNAC, averaging 1.11 blocks per set.
Scouting the Competition – No. 20 Western Washington
The Western Washington Vikings split a pair of GNAC matches last weekend, falling to the SFU Clan on Thursday before defeating MSUB on Saturday. As a team, the Vikings lead the GNAC and are 21st in NCAA Division II with 13.71 kills per set. WWU also leads the conference with 12.67 assists per set.
Leading the Vikings offense is sophomore middle blocker Kayleigh Harper, who finished last weekend's matches with 26 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Abby Phelps, who ranks ninth in the GNAC in kills per set with 3.17 and digs per set 4.14.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @NanooksVB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook.
