FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team opens up their 2020-21 revised spring season on Monday, March 8. They head to California to face Azusa Pacific, Biola University and Concordia-Irvine.
 

Opponents	Azusa Pacific | Biola | Concordia-Irvine
Dates, Times	Monday, March 8 At Azusa Pacific, 9:00 a.m. AKT   At Biola, 6:00 p.m. AKT   Tuesday, March 9 At Concordia-Irvine, 6:00 p.m. AKT
Locations	Felix Event Center – Azusa, Calif. | Chase Gym – La Mirada, Calif. | CU Arena – Irvine, Calif.
Follow Along	APU – Live Stats | Live Video BU – Live Stats | Live Video CUI – Live Stats | Live Video
Social Media	Twitter | Facebook
2020-21 Season Schedule	Full Online Schedule

 
Last Time Out
It's been over 450 days since the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team last found themselves on a court in a win-loss situation. Their last true competition came on Nov. 23, 2019 when they bested the Saint Martin's Saints 3-1 on Senior Night. 
 
Blue/Gold
The Nanooks played their annual Blue/Gold scrimmage the other night on Friday, March 5. AveRee Reynolds led Team Gold to a four-set victory with 17 kills. Emily Moorhead checked in with 14 of her own, including the game-winning kill. Freshman, Karli Nielson led Gold in the digs category, picking up 23. Dani Dodge checked-in with 20 of her own. Taylor Overn led the assist totals, grabbing 39. On the Blue team, Lahra Weber and Sophie Schilling collected 13 kills each. Cate Whiting added 24 assists and freshman setter Ainsley Smith had 12 of her own. 
 
2019 Leaders
The Nanooks return many key pieces from a year ago. Lahra Weber returns after leading the 'Nooks in kills a year ago. She put 308 kills up on the board for a kills per set average of 2.80. AveRee Reynolds came in at second place with 266 kills. She was named the GNAC Newcomer of the Year following a solid first-year in Fairbanks. 
 
Cate Whiting returns after a First Team All-GNAC Selection year that saw her tally 1028 assists, a .393 set percentage and 9.43 assists per set average. Weber and Whiting were also the top servers on the team a year ago. Weber ran away with 56 service aces and Whiting came in next with 36. Weber had a .895 service percentage and Whiting added a .949.
 
Coaches Quotes
 
When asked about the newcomers and how they've done joining the foundation and veterans on the team.
We are really excited about our new group of athletes. We are much better because of them. We have added a level of depth to our roster that we have not ever had before. It has made for extremely competitive practices and really pushed everyone's development. We will be a better team because of the competition within our own gym. 
 
When asked about the senior class.
Our seniors are impressive to watch. They are great leaders and have done a superb job embracing our new athletes and helping to shorten their learning curve. I'm very proud of how they have responded to their leadership role. None of them have taken a day off but consistently push us to be better.
 
When asked about no UAA games and now starting season in California.
We are so anxious to compete! It will have been about 470 days since our last match. We have been fortunate to be training for a good portion of this semester, but we are excited to be on the court competing and representing UAF and the Fairbanks community.
 
When asked about what the 10-game season will be like.
We want to focus on developing and being prepared for the regular season this fall. We have a great opportunity to get valuable game-like repetitions this spring and don't want to squander our chance to develop our team.
 
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @NanooksVB on Twitter, or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook.