HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Alaska Nanook volleyball team fell in heartbreaking fashion to the ChaminadeSwords on Saturday, August 28, 2021. The 'Nooks fell in the first two sets 16-25, 19-25 before grabbing the next two and setting up a fifth set. They eventually fell 16-18 in the fifth, dropping to 1-1 on the 2021 season. 
 
Throughout the whole five-setter, the Nanooks were outhit, however, their play at the net played a difference maker on forcing the match to five sets. In the kills department, the Swords outhit Alaska 58-64. They also picked up seven aces to the Nanooks one. The 'Nooks net play was otherworldly as they collected 15 blocks to the Swords seven. 
 
In set one, Chaminade jumped out to an early lead. After pushing it to 0-4, AveRee Reynolds picked up her first block and the Nanooks first point. The Swords added to the lead, unfortunately. Aside from a Reynolds and Sophie Schilling kill, Chaminade found themselves up 3-7. A small run by Alaska made it 6-8, but in a matter of moments, the Nanooks were trailing 6-16. After breaking up their run, Alaska managed five of the next six points, but that was the extent of their run. Karli Nielson added two kills, however, it was too little, too late as Chaminade claimed set one, 16-25. 
 
In set two, Alaska jumped out to and early 3-0 lead behind a Reynolds kill and two Chaminade attack errors. They would hold on to the lead until a 6-6 tie. After the Swords took the lead, the two teams played back-and-forth ball. After the Nanooks grabbed two points to tie it at 12-12, the Swords ran away, they eventually had a 12-16 lead and pushed it to 15-21 and eventually a 19-25 set win. Set three saw the magic return to Alaska. They extended the match to a fourth with a strong third set led by a flurry of blocks and kills from up and down the lineup. After a Chaminade error, Elizabeth Jackson checked in with a solo block giving the 'Nooks an early 2-1 lead. She tagged along with Reynolds for a second and then picked up a kill, helping the Nanooks push to a 9-7 lead. 
 
Jackson and Reynolds connected again in a 10-10 tie as Jackson sent the ball over to Reynolds for the kill and the lead, kicking off a five-point streak for Alaska. A small push from the Swords was not strong enough to shake Alaska as they pressed on to a 25-21 set three victory. 
 
In set four the Nanooks and Swords went to war. It was close to start, beginning with constant lead-changes before the Nanooks grabbed a 7-4 lead. Chaminade returned with a run of their own. Six straight points were strung off by the Swords as they regained a 7-10 lead. Back-to-back kills from Lahra Weber and Schilling pulled the Nanooks back within one and ended the damage. Later on in the same set, the Swords had the win in their grasps, looking at a 22-24 deficit, the Nanooks had to rally.
 
They did just that. Four straight points out of the blue and gold gave them an exciting win in set four with three attack errors and a kill by Sophie Schilling. To the fifth set they went. 
 
The fifth set held similar energy to the fourth set. After falling behind 1-5, the Nanooks rallied back to tie things up at 8-8. A kill by Cate Whiting and Reynolds pushed the Nanooks up 10-8 before extending it to 12-10. Unfortunately, through two match points, Alaska was unable to end things. After a 16-15 lead was shut down, the Swords grabbed the final two points and won the fifth set to take it all, 16-18. 
 
The Nanooks had three players reach double-digit kills; AveRee Reynolds led the way with 14 and a .250 hit percentage alongside two blocks. Lahra Weber added 11 and a .154 swing percentage while also tallying 12 digs. Rilee White was the final 'Nook in double-digits with 10 kills and 13 digs. Cate Whiting had a spread offense going as she picked up 47 assists and 20 digs, giving her, her second double-double of the season. Dani Dodge joined in with 15 digs. Sophie Schilling led the way at the net with six blocks. Karli Nielson and Elizabeth Jackson had four each. 
 
The Nanooks play again tonight at 9:00 p.m. against Hawaii Pacific.
 
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @AlaskaNanooksXC on Instagram, @NanooksVB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook.