FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team dropped their second-to-last match of the 2019 season on Thursday, Nov. 21 to Seattle Pacific. The Falcons defeated the 'Nooks in four sets by the final set scores of 21-25, 24-26, 25-23 and 21-25. This loss drops the Nanooks to 14-13, 11-8 GNAC.

Set one began as a back-and-forth set, as the Falcons and Nanooks had five lead changes and five tie-scores throughout it all. While the Nanooks were the first team to 20, Seattle Pacific made their push late. As the 'Nooks held a 20-16 lead, a kill from Seattle Pacific's, Delaney
Dunham sparked the comeback for SPU. Maddie Donohoe went on to serve eight consecutive times, as SPU ran-off nine consecutive points on the Nanooks defense. A Markie Miller kill stopped the streak, however, Lahra Weber was blocked on the next point, giving the Falcons a 21-25 first-set victory.

Alaska and Seattle Pacific played the same back-and-forth volleyball in set two. After SPU grabbed a 10-13 lead, the Nanooks strung together five consecutive points, taking the lead, 15-13. That lead did not last long, as the Falcons put together a run of their own, getting the lead and extending it to 17-20. After the 'Nooks tied things again at 24-24, SPU rallied for two points, claiming the set two win 24-26.

Things turned around for the Nanooks in the third set. After jumping out to an 11-7 lead, kills from Weber and AveRee Reynolds and SPU errors, extended the Alaska lead to 18-11, giving them enough cushion to claim the set three victory, keeping their hopes alive. Reynolds checked in with three of her 14 kills in the set-victory and Weber led the way in the third set with four of her 16 kills. Despite two 'Nooks attackers in double-digit kills, the Falcons overpowered them in the fourth-set, claiming the match win.

The fourth set saw SPU run away with the momentum. The Falcons jumped out to an 8-11 lead over the 'Nooks when Kim Wong, a senior for Alaska, left the game with a lower-leg injury. The loss of Wong played a big part, as SPU extended their lead to 16-11. Despite the injury, the Nanooks fought back, crawling back within two points at 17-19. Despite their best efforts, the Nanooks comeback fell short as Seattle Pacific took the set and match, 21-25.

Head coach Brian Scott felt his team's start was what led to the tough night for the 'Nooks, "We had too many attack errors, I think that's what hurt us was really just not putting the ball in the court. Up until the fourth set, actually, the fourth set we played great ball, 20 digs, only three errors, had 15 kills and scored a lot of points, but unfortunately their game elevated as well."

In the team stats, the Nanooks only managed one win, digs, out-digging the Falcons 61-55. In every other category, however, the SPU offense and defense reigned supreme; they out-hit the 'Nooks, 50-52, out-served Alaska, 4-6 in service aces and out-blocked the Nanooks defenders, 9-11. As for the Nanooks individual performers on the night, Lahra Weber and AveRee Reynolds were the only two Nanook attackers over five kills, as both broke double-digits, putting 16 and 14 balls away tonight. Weber swung a .243 percentage while Reynolds put up a .205 swing percentage. Cate Whiting fed the offense well, collecting yet another double-double with 43 assists and 12 digs in the back-row. Makena Overbey was the only defensive player to beat Whiting in the digs category, collecting 23 digs on the night, boosting her season stats.

Alaska remains at home to close out their 2019 regular-season. On Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2:00 p.m. AKT, the 'Nooks will host the Saint Martin's Saints for one last go-around in the careers of Mica Chen, Tatum Upchurch and Kim Wong. Pregame festivities will include a celebration of these three players' careers in Fairbanks.

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