GNAC Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference announced its 2017 Volleyball All-Conference team on Wednesday morning with the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team being represented by senior middle blocker
Riley Podowicz and sophomore middle blocker Kim Wong, who were selected as honorable mentions.
It is the first all-conference mention for both Wong and Podowicz and marks the first time Alaska volleyball has been recognized by the GNAC since former standout
Sam Harthun was named to the All-GNAC First Team in 2015.
The Alaska Nanooks had one of their best seasons in the past decade, as the Nooks posted a 12-17 overall record and a 5-15 mark in conference play. The 12 wins ties the most in a single-season for Alaska since the 2009 season (12-15) and is the most for third-year head coach
Brian Scott since taking over the program in July of 2015.
Podowicz appeared in 107 sets and 29 matches for the Nanooks this past season, registering 175 total kills to average 1.64 kills per set. Podowicz's 175 kills and 57 errors from 453 total attempts gave the Olympia, Washington native a .260 hitting percentage on the season to rank 10th in the GNAC. Podowicz's best offensive night came on Oct. 28 where the middle blocker registered 14 kills against Central Washington. Additionally, Podowicz tallied a single-game season-best hitting percentage on Sept. 2 with 10 kills and two errors off of 12 attempts for a .667 hitting percentage against Mount Olive.
Podowicz also led Alaska's efforts at the net this season, leading her teammates in solo blocks (16), block assists (50), total blocks (66) and blocks per set (0.62). Podowicz posted a season-best six total blocks on Oct. 28 vs. Central Washington.
Following the 2017 season's conclusion, Podowicz broke four Alaska volleyball program records, including single-game total blocks (tie-10th), season solo blocks (6th), season block assists (9th) and career total blocks (10th).
Wong appeared in 106 sets for the Nanooks this season and 29 matches, registering 172 kills to boast a 1.62 kills per set average. Wong's 172 kills and only 55 errors off of 382 total attempts this season gave the Spokane, Washington native a .306 hitting percentage on the season to rank sixth in the GNAC. Wong's best game came on Nov. 11 vs. Western Oregon, as the middle blocker posted eight kills and zero errors off of 13 total attempts to register a season-best .615 hitting percentage in a single game. Wong's best offensive night came on Oct. 28 vs. Central Washington, as the Mechanical Engineering major tallied 15 kills against the Wildcats.
At the net, Wong totaled 56 blocks throughout the season, including 11 solo and 45 assisted to rank second on the team with a 0.53 block per set average. Wong posted a season-best five blocks (two solo, three assisted) against Seattle Pacific on Sept .21.
Individually and like Podowicz, Wong also broke Alaska volleyball program records this past season, totaling four as a sophomore. Wong is now on Alaska's All-Time Leaders list in season attack percentage (3rd), season solo blocks (8th), season block assists (10th) and career attack percentage (2nd).
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @NanooksVB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook.
