FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team opens up Great Northwest Athletic Conference play this week, as the team hosts in-state rival and national runner-up Alaska Anchorage at the Alaska Airlines Court on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7pm AKT before heading to Billings, Montana to face the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets on Friday, Sept. 15 at 5pm AKT.

The Nanooks are off to their best start in recent history, as Alaska currently sits with an overall record of 7-2. Both Alaska Anchorage and Montana State Billings both sit with an overall record of 4-4.

 

Opponents	Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (4-4, 0-0 GNAC) | Montana State Billings Yellowjackets (4-4, 0-0 GNAC)
Promotion	Nanook Tailgate: Free pizza, shirts & giveaways Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 6-7pm AKT | Patty Center Parking Lot
Dates & Times	Alaska vs. UAA – Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7pm AKT Alaska at MSUB – Friday, Sept. 15 at 5pm AKT
Locations	UAA Game: Fairbanks, Alaska | Alaska Airlines Court MSUB Game: Billings, Mont. | Alterowitz Gymnasium
Follow Along	Live Stream & Stats
Social Media	Twitter | Facebook

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 Internet Portal. Fans have the option to watch the stream, follow the live stats or both. Please note that the match at MSUB will be broadcasted through the home school.

Nanook Tailgate
The UAF Student Activities office is collaborating with the Alaska Nanooks to host a tailgating party on Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 6-7pm AKT in the Patty Center parking lot. Fans can stop by for free pizza, shirts and giveaways prior to the Nooks taking on UAA.

Last Time Out
The Alaska Nanooks continued their hot start to the season over the weekend, posting a 3-1 record after travelling to San Francisco to take on four non-conference opponents in the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase, hosted by San Francisco State University. Alaska defeated Holy Names (3-0), the Academy of Art (3-1) and Biola (3-1) and fell 1-3 to Hawaii-Hilo at the Showcase.

Nooks are Rolin'
With seven wins on the season, the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team has already tied and surpassed their win total throughout the Brian Scott era. Scott's previous record of wins in a single season was six in 2015. The Nanooks haven't had seven wins in single season since 2010 and are looking to keep the momentum moving forward with conference play starting this week.

Lerma Named to D2 West Region Showcase All-Tournament Team
On Sunday, the GNAC announced that Alaska Nanooks volleyball's sophomore outside hitter Gabby Lerma was named to the D2 West Region Showcase All-Tournament Team from the San Francisco pod. Lerma was joined by Alina Smith (Cal Poly Pomona), Anela Visesio (Cal State Monterey Bay) and Tess Van Grouw (Biola). The D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase took place in six different locations this year with four players from each location being named to the All-Tournament Team.

Lerma was Alaska's best all-around player over the weekend, helping the Nanooks to a 3-1 record at the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase in San Francisco. Lerma posted back-to-back double-doubles against Biola (11 kills, 17 digs) and the Academy of Art (14 kills, 11 digs) for her second and third double-double of the season, respectively. Lerma also posted a career-high 18 kills over Hawaii-Hilo on Friday, Sept. 8. The Mission, Texas native also pitched in three assists, 2.5 blocks and two service aces over the weekend.

Nichols in the Books
At the end of the 2016 season, senior setter Rachel Nichols ranked 10th on the All-Time Career Assists list with 948 assists in her first season with the Nooks. Following Sept. 9's game versus Biola, Nichols moved to ninth on the list with 1,109 assists.

Conference Leaders
Six Alaska Nanooks rank within the top-10 in the conference in various statistical categories individually, including three in the service aces column. Freshman setter Cate Whiting currently leads all players in the GNAC in service aces per set, averaging 0.52 with 15 total in 29 sets. Lerma and redshirt-freshman Markie Miller are tied for seventh in the conference, averaging 0.40 aces per set each. Lerma also ranks 10th in the GNAC in points, averaging 3.33 per set after totaling 100.0 in 30 sets.

Sophomore libero Jenna Hickel ranks third in the conference in digs, averaging 4.97 per set after racking up 154 digs in 31 sets. Sophomore middle blocker Kim Wong and senior middle blocker Riley Podowicz rank third and seventh in the conference, respectively, in hitting percentage. Wong has a hitting percentage of .333, while Podowicz carries a .315 average.

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