FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanook volleyball team will host five squads in their Nanook Volleyball Classic this weekend. The Nanooks will face-off with four of the five teams in their final non-conference weekend of the season.
Follow Along
All the action will be available for free on the Alaska Nanooks YouTube page.
Click here, or find it in the Follow Along tab of the table.
Thursday, Sept. 9
4:00 p.m. >> UAA vs. Ursuline
7:30 p.m. >> Alaska vs. Cal State, LA
Friday, Sept. 10
9:30 p.m. >> UAA vs. CSU-Pueblo
12:00 p.m. >> Ursuline vs. Drury
2:30 p.m. >> Cal State, LA vs. UAA
5:00 p.m. >> CSU-Pueblo vs. Ursuline
7:30 p.m. >> Alaska vs. Drury
Saturday, Sept. 11
9:30 p.m. >> Drury vs. Cal State, LA
12:00 p.m. >> Alaska vs. Ursuline
2:30 p.m. >> Cal State, LA vs. CSU-Pueblo
5:00 p.m. >> UAA vs. Drury
7:30 p.m. >> Alaska vs. CSU-Pueblo
Fan Policy
Effective on August 2, 2021, the University of Alaska Fairbanks announced that face coverings must be worn by all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, at all locations owned or operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, except for those who are medically exempted or under the age of 2. Spectators at indoor events will have to wear a mask in all cases, except those specifically exempted. At all outdoor sporting events, cross country/ski, masks will be required only when a 6-foot distance between individuals cannot be continuously met.
These procedures are put in place, however, they are subject to change.
CDC, UAF, and Facility signage will be present at all events to promote proper physical-distancing. Extra masks will also be available to those in attendance and ushers will be present to facilitate and assist.
Alongside the mandatory masks, fans will be seated in alternating rows in the Patty Center. With bleachers being sectioned appropriately, this will assist in further social distancing practices for our teams, students, and fans.
Last Time Out
The Nanooks volleyball team spent last weekend in Anchorage for the Seawolf Invitational. Alaska played four games, ending the weekend with a 2-2 split. On day one, the Nanooks faced-off with then ranked #18 Central Missouri. They fell in straight sets to the Jennies with
Rilee White leading the way with nine kills.
AveRee Reynolds followed closely with eight of her own.
Cate Whiting added 28 assists in the loss. In game two the Nanooks made quick work of UIndy, sweeping the Greyhounds behind eight kills from
Lahra Weber, Reynolds and White. Whiting added 29 assists.
Game three saw the Nanooks face-off with Biola (Calif.). They fell in four-sets.
AveRee Reynolds posted 14 kills while
Lahra Weber tallied 11.
Dani Dodge had herself a game in the backrow, totaling 28 digs.
Cate Whiting had another stellar performance as well as she collected 34 assists while picking up 23 digs. The Nanooks ended their time in Anchorage with a sweep of Texas A&M Int'l. Whiting had a weekend-high 35 assists while Reynolds added 13 more kills to her weekend totals.
Emily Moorhead,
Sophie Schilling and Reynolds all added six total blocks, each.
All-Tournament Team
Cate Whiting was named to the Seawolf Invitational's All-Tournament team after putting up solid numbers through four games. In four, she posted 126 assists, 51 digs and 13 kills.
History Books
Lahra Weber moved into the top-10 for career digs after the Seawolf Invitational. She moved up from 880 prior to 915, moving to number-nine in Alaska history. Jamie Schanback (2000-02) and Crystal Wheelock (2002-05) are next in striking distance as they collected 940 and 971, respectively.
Cate Whiting should join Weber next as she's just two away from the top-10 with 906. With three digs she'll knock Jenny Mendl (1999-02) out.
Crystal Ball
Cate Whiting and
AveRee Reynolds were chosen for the GNAC Volleyball Preseason Team alongside the Nanooks landing in the fourth-place spot in the GNAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll. This prediction comes after back-to-back fifth place finishes for the 'Nooks in 2018/19. Alaska earned 66 points from votes. Whiting was a 2019 Preseason selection and 2019 GNAC First-Team Selection. Reynolds, in her first year with the 'Nooks in 2019, was a GNAC Honorable Mention Selection and the GNAC Newcomer of the Year.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @NanooksVB on Twitter, @AlaskaNanooksVB on Instagram, or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook.
