FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska volleyball Blue team was victorious over the Alaska volleyball Gold team, as they outscored their teammates 3-1 (27-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-12) in front of a strong contingency of Nanook fans who came out for Saturday's Blue vs. Gold game at the Alaska Airlines Court at the Patty Center.

Alaska Blue, which contained senior Riley Podowicz, sophomores Tatum Upchurch and Jenna Hickel and newcomers Emily Moorhead, Lahra Weber, Cate Whiting and Annika Kerns won the first and last two sets over the Alaska Gold team, which included seniors Rachel Nichols, Maddie Davis and Ari Horner, junior Ashley Johnson, sophomore Kim Wong and newcomers Gabby Lerma, Markie Miller and Sarina Mancari in a match that unofficially kicked off the 2017 season.

Offensively, freshmen Markie Miller and Lahra Weber tied for a game-high 15 kills apiece, while Podowicz and Upchurch followed closely behind, registering 14 and 13 kills, respectively. Freshman setter Whiting posted a game-high 43 assists, while senior setter Nichols collected 33 on the night.

Defensively, Hickel led all players with 23 digs, while freshman defensive specialist Mancari and Upchurch both tallied 12 throughout all four sets. Freshman middle blocker Moorhead had an outstanding night on the net, totaling three solo blocks and one block assist.

The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team will be back in action on Saturday, Aug. 26 where they will host an alumni exhibition game at the Alaska Airlines Court starting at 7pm AKT.

Alaska officially kicks off the 2017 season with a trip to Virginia Beach, where the Nooks will take on Elizabeth City State University on Friday, Sept. 1 at 1pm AKT.

For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @NanoksVB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook.