FAIRANKS, Alaska– The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team is heading to Cal State, Los Angeles this weekend to compete in the Division II West Region Volleyball Showcase. The 'Nooks will play four games beginning Thursday, Sept. 12 with a double-header and one on Friday, Sept. 13 and the final on Saturday, Sept. 14. The West Region is being hosted by Cal State University, Los Angeles and will be played at the University Gym.
On the Road Again
The Alaska Nanooks find themselves on the road again just a week after their trip to Golden, Colorado. After ending the 2018 season with a 14-13 record, the 'Nooks began the 2019 campaign where they left off going 2-2 in their season opening tournament. Alaska will head to Los Angeles for a three day tournament before opening up GNAC play the following week.
Where to Watch & Listen
If fans aren't able to make this weekend's games in Los Angeles, each of the Nanooks' four matches this weekend will be broadcasted live through the Alaska Nanooks and Cal State, Los Angeles' Stretch Internet Portal which can be found in the "Live Stream" link above. Fans can also follow along with the live stats of the matches through the "Live Stats" link posted above as well.
Playing Field
This weekend's West Region Showcase consists of six pods and each pod contains six schools and a different host school. The Nanooks find themselves in Pod 3, hosted by Cal State, Los Angeles. Besides Alaska and Cal State, LA, the tournament pod has teams from Cal State, East Bay, Azusa Pacific University, Hawaii Pacific University and Central Washington University.
All-Time Series
The Alaska Nanooks are 0-3 all-time against Cal State, LA, with the first ever meeting between the two teams coming as a 3-0 loss for the Nanooks at a neutral site on Aug. 28, 2009. Alaska fell 3-1 at another neutral site in their last meeting on Sept. 1, 2018.
All-time against Cal State, East Bay, Alaska is 0-2, losing their first meeting 3-1 at home on Sept. 1, 2012 and falling on the road in their last meeting 3-0 on Sept. 13, 2013.
Hawaii Pacific is the only team this weekend the Nanooks have had any luck with. They are 2-6 all-time against the Sharks having won their first road match, 3-1 on Aug. 23, 2007. The Sharks however, have won the last six meetings, including the last matchup on Sept. 9, 2016 in five-sets.
Alaska has faced Azusa Pacific only once and lost 3-1 on Sept. 12, 2015. The 'Nooks will look to even up the all-time series this weekend.
Weber & Whiting Named to GNAC Preseason All-Conference Team
Last month, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference announced their 2019 Volleyball Preseason All-Conference team, which featured junior outside
Lahra Weber and junior setter
Cate Whiting. These two proved themselves the opening weekend.
Lahra Weber struck for 49 kills and
Cate Whiting tallied 130 assists through their first four games of the season.
GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll
The GNAC released the 2019 Preseason Coaches Poll last month, picking the Nanooks to finish fifth in the conference. The fifth place ranking is the highest preseason finish ever for the Alaska volleyball team since the GNAC implemented the poll prior to the 2015 season.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @NanooksVB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook.
