FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team takes to the road to face-off with their in-state rivals, the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves on Friday, Mar. 26 and Saturday, Mar. 27 at the Seawolf Sports Complex on the UAA campus.
Last Time Out
The Nanooks took two from the NNU Nighthawks, winning 3-2 in five sets on Friday, Mar. 19 and then sweeping NNU the following morning 3-0. Freshman
Rilee White and Senior
AveRee Reynolds each had 21 kills during the series to lead the team. Junior
Dani Dodge tallied 54 digs on the weekend and Senior
Cate Whiting had 72 assists to lead to way for the 'Nooks in the distribution department.
After falling in the first set 22-25, Alaska took the next two sets 27-25 and 25-22. In the second the 'Nooks jumped out to a 14-7 lead before allowing the Nighthawks to tie it back up at 24 all. Consecutive attack errors by NNU gave Alaska the set two victory. Reynolds recorded five kills in that set with a .400 attack percentage. Set three was a close set throughout until the Nook's pulled away 25-20. Reynolds recorded the set-winning kill on an assist from Whiting. The Nighthawks would take the fourth set 20-25 to tie the match at 2-2. The deciding fifth set was a marathon as Alaska and NNU traded match points until an attack error on the Nighthawks gave the 'Nooks a 3-2 match victory.
After a grueling match that went the distance the night before Alaska woke up with brooms on their mind defeating NNU in straight sets by scores of 26-24, 29-27, and 25-20. The first set saw the 'Nooks rally from a 22-24 deficit after a head coach
Brian Scott timeout that sparked a 4-0 Alaska run to close out the set. Set two saw the Nanooks go on another run as they went from down 4-6 to up 14-6 behind three kills from White and two service aces from Whiting. The Nighthawks flew back to knot things up at 22-22. The set would see five more ties until Alaska took the set two victory behind a
Lahra Weber kill. The final set of the day saw NNU and Alaska tied up at 14-14 before the 'Nooks went on an 11-6 run. Consecutive kills from Senior
Emily Moorhead and Whiting sealed the deal for match and series sweep for the Nanooks.
Dodge's Digs
Dani Dodge picked up her first ever GNAC Weekly award with the Nanooks this past week, being named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week after an impressive showing against NNU. Dodge tallied 54 digs in the two-game series with the Nighthawks. In game one, she picked up 31 total, helping the 'Nooks secure the five-set victory. In game two, the 'Nooks swept NNU as Dodge gathered another 23 digs.
Distribution Department
Cate Whiting, the 2019 First Team All-GNAC setter for Alaska, has been incredible, once again. This season, she has tallied 152 assists through five games, she's currently on pace for 335. Junior setter,
Taylor Overn has stepped up and given the 'Nooks a strong 1-2 punch in the assists column as Overn has added 40 over her own assists to the rotation, the most in her career.
Fresh Slate
The Nanooks look to turn the page on the 2010's and start a new in the 2020's. Fairbanks has not won a match in Anchorage since 2010, resulting in nine consecutive losses to the Seawolves in the Anchorage. Alaska looks to write their own bit of history after knocking-off the Seawolves in consecutive home-matches dating back to 2018.
UAA Seawolves Scouting Report
The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves are led by Eve Stephens. She has tallied 53 kills so far on the season for an average of 4.42 kills per set. Just behind her with 35 and an average of 2.92 per set is Nicole Blue. Stephens also leads the way in attack percentage, swinging at a .321 rate on 137 total attacks. Ellen Floyd is the team leader in assists, tallying 108. Other than Reilly Plumhoff with 10, she is the only Seawolf in double and triple digits. Vera Pluharova leads the front line on the net for UAA with nine total blocks, all of which came as a block assist. Mahala Kaapuni leads the team in solo blocks with two, the only two this season for UAA. As for the digs, UAA has a spread back-line as three players have tallied over 30 digs. Talia Leauanae leads the team with 36. Close behind with 34 is Ellen Floyd and just behind her, with 31 is Eve Stephens. Finally, Plumhoff leads the way with nine service aces, one better than Blue, who has eight on the year.
Coaches Quotes
When asked about playing UAA for the first time this season;
We are definitely looking forward to another opportunity to compete this weekend. It is always a fun match with UAA. They always have a very talented team and we look forward to the challenge of competing with a great team.
When asked about the tough environment that is Anchorage;
UAA is a great team and they play especially well on their home court. We are capable of competing well, and will have to be at the top of our game to come away with the W. I hope we can continue to make improvements in our defense this weekend and we need to be as efficient as possible on the offensive side of the game.
When asked about Eve Stephens of UAA, last week's GNAC Offensive Player of the Week;
Eve is a nice athlete and carries a heavy load for that team. She will be a handful. I think if we can be disciplined in our defensive systems to help limit her and be tough with our serve to keep the ball out of her hands we can be successful.
When asked about the new faces entering their first UAA matchup;
I don't know if you can ever prepare someone for a rivalry game, but we try to make practices as competitive as possible and do our best to play at a consistent level. I am sure everyone will be excited enough to play and we more so need to settle in than get hyped up.
When asked about the midway point of the season and what he looks forward to seeing in the second half;
I think we have made some good improvements in all aspects of the game. I always want us to be more disciplined in regards to the systems we use. If we can be good at that kind of execution then I think we can rival anyone we come across.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @NanooksVB on Twitter, or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook.
