GOLDEN, Colo. – In two hard fought matches, the UAF volleyball team found themselves 1-1 following day one of the 2019 season. An exciting game one victory over the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs was followed by a sweep at the hands of the 8^th ranked team in the nation, Northern State University.
 
The 'Nooks began the day hot, coming out with 14 kills and a .310 hit percentage in their set one win. That did not stick around for set two as the Mountain Lions were able to make adjustments and take set two, 25-22.
 
Led by GNAC Preseason All-Conference selections, Lahra Weber and Cate Whiting, the Nanooks regrouped and took sets three and four, 25-19 and 25-20 to claim victory. Weber led the way with 16 kills and Whiting added a game-high 34 assists.
 
While the offense showed its bright spots, the defense played a big part in securing the four set win for UAF.
 
"It took us a couple sets to get settled in against UCCS. I felt like we really started to play well in that last set." said head coach Brian Scott. "Defensively, we finally hit stride in the fourth set with 25 digs. Blocking was very consistent throughout the day."
 
With 25 digs in the fourth set alone, the Nanooks combined for a team total 55 digs and were led by sophomore libero, Makena Overbey who had 16.
 
Game two, the 'Nooks found themselves against the wall early. Highly ranked Northern State University offense shined while the Nanooks struggled to get a consistent run going. In the three game sweep the Nanooks were outhit 26-47 in kills and had a team hit percentage of .089 while NSU swung a .351 percentage.
 
While not the outcome UAF was looking for, it was still a learning moment and showed promise for what is to come.
 
"Northern was a great team, very deserving of their number eight ranking. It was very difficult to take them out of their system or create any chaos on their side of the net. Anxious for tomorrow, more learning and opportunity to get better." added Coach Scott.
 
AveRee Reynolds and Tatum Upchurch combined for nine kills and Sophie Schilling, Emily Moorhead and Whiting all added a pair of blocks in game two.
 
The Nanooks get ready to take on two more non-conference teams tomorrow, Sept. 7^th in Colo. First at 7:30 a.m. AKT, they will be facing the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific and following that game, they will be facing the host team, Colorado School of Mines at 10:30 a.m. AKT.
 
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @NanooksVB on twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook.