FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team officially kicks-off the 2019 season with four nonconference matches this weekend, competing in the 2019 Oredigger Classic this Friday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 7. The Classic, hosted by the Colorado School of Mines, will take place at Lockridge Arena in Golden, Colorado.
Carrying the Momentum
The Alaska Nanooks return to action after a monumental 2018 season with a 14-13 overall record, going 12-8 in conference play. Alaska's 14 wins overall is the most within a single-season under fifth-year head coach
Brian Scott and was also the most overall wins and first winning season since the 2008 campaign (15-10).
Furthermore, Alaska's 12 conference wins is the most since the 2003 season (13-5 GNAC).
Where to Watch & Listen
If fan's aren't able to make this weekend's games in Golden, each of the Nanooks' four matches this weekend will be broadcasted live through the Alaska Nanooks and Colorado School of Mines' Stretch Internet Portal in the link posted above. Fans will also have the option to follow along with the live stats of the matches through the link posted above.
Playing Field
Besides Alaska and the Colorado School of Mines, the other teams competing in the 2019 Oredigger Classic include Colorado Mesa, Dallas Baptist, Fresno Pacific, Lubbock Christian, Northern State and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. The Nooks are the only Great Northwest Athletic Conference team participating in the tournament.
All-Time Series
The Alaska Nanooks are 2-4 all-time against the UCCS Mountain Lions, with the first-ever meeting between the two teams coming as a 3-1 loss for the Nanooks on the road on Sept. 29, 1989. Alaska fell in three-straight sets on the road in their last meeting on Sept. 13, 2014.
All-time against the Northern State Wolves, Alaska is 2-0, going 3-0 in their first meeting on Sept. 2, 1995 before earning a 3-1 win in their last meeting on Sept. 12, 2008.
The Nanooks are 0-2 all-time against the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds, going 0-2 on the road in their first meeting on Oct. 11, 1986, before falling 0-3 at home on Sept. 7, 2013.
Alaska is looking to only improve their 1-0 all-time record against the Colorado School of Mines, earning a 3-1 victory on Sept. 8, 1995.
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 hitter
Lahra Weber and junior setter
Cate Whiting. It is the first preseason honor for both Weber and Whiting, but the duo were named to the 2018 All-GNAC First Team after a breakout sophomore season on the court.
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.
New & Old
The Alaska Nanooks return 10 players from the 2018 season, including each of their six starters, and welcome four newcomers. Alaska's four newest members include freshman
Colleen File, freshman
Eden Murchison, junior transfer
AveRee Reynolds and freshman
Sophie Schilling.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @NanooksVB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook.
