Ainsley Smith on the sideline versus UAA.
Miles Jordan

Women's Volleyball Nathan Kyle Pearsall

Rivalry Weekend: Volleyball Heads to Anchorage for Big Matchup with Seawolves

ANCHORAGE - The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team heads south for a big matchup with the #9-ranked Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. The 'Nooks fell to UAA in three sets earlier this season in Fairbanks. 

Saturday, Oct. 29
Alaska Anchorage | Live Video | Live Stats
Alaska Airlines Center | Anchorage, Alaska | 2:00 p.m.

Last Time Out
The Nanooks are looking to get back on their feet after falling in a pair of games on the road last weekend. On Thursday, Oct. 20, the Nanooks were swept by #10-ranked Western Washington before being swept by Simon Fraser on Saturday, Oct. 22. Against WWU, the Nanooks were led by Ella Bines and Elizabeth Jackson, who both posted 10 kills while hitting .563 and .643, respectively. Taylor Overn led the distribution with 17 while Ainsley Smith added 16. Jackson also led the way at the net for the 'Nooks, posting four blocks with one solo. 

In game two, Karli Nielson led the way with a dozen kills. She was the only Nanook with more than six kills. Ainsley Smith posted 17 assists while Overn added a dozen of her own. Smith added 10 digs for a double-double. 

#NookNotes
  • Nielson averaged three kills per set a week ago. She ranks eighth in the GNAC with 2.74 kills per set and is 10th with 3.30 points per set.
  • Ella Bines averaged 2.67 kills per set. She has played in 25 matches with nine starts and is averaging 1.98 kills per set. 
  • Jessa Long averaged 3.67 digs per set last week and is now averaging 4.62 per set on the season; that currently leads the GNAC. 
  • Long has 425 digs collected this season, she is six digs away from entering the top-10 for total digs in a single-season by a Nanook volleyball player. 
  • As a team, the Nanooks are averaging 12.30 kills and 13.86 digs per set. They are second in the GNAC and 13th in Division II with 2.43 blocks per set. 
  • They are second in the GNAC and 38th in Division II with 2.10 aces per set. 
  • Elizabeth Jackson currently sits in fourth in the NCAA Division II with 109 total blocks. 
  • In the last 10 meetings, the Nanooks are 4-6 against the Seawolves. UAA took the earlier matchup 3-0 in Fairbanks winning; 25-20, 25-19, 25-14.
  • The Nanooks have won a match against UAA in a season series dating back to the 2018 season. The 2017 season was the last time UAA swept the 'Nooks. 
  • Alaska has struggled in Anchorage. They have won one game in Anchorage dating back to 2011. 
Meet the Opponents
Alaska Anchorage comes into this weekend's matchup as the #9-ranked team in the country in the latest AVCA Division II Top-25. They knocked off the #10-ranked Western Washington Vikings last weekend in a top-10 matchup. They grabbed a 3-1 win over the Vikings after falling to SFU on Thursday, Oct. 20 in Canada. That loss to Simon Fraser snapped their 13-game winning streak. 

Eve Stephens and Lisa Jaunet lead the Seawolves' offense as Stephens has posted 390 kills through 24 matches and 83 sets played. Jaunet has 247 through the same amount of games and sets. Stephens does about everything as she also has 214 digs (2.58/set) and 67 total blocks (.81/set) for 5.73 points per set. Talia Leauanae leads the way in the back row as she has collected 321 digs (3.87/set). At the net, Isabel Evans leads UAA in blocks with 76 total on 69 assists and seven solo. Ellen Floyd leads UAA with 854 assists (10.29/set). She has tallied 83% of the Seawolves' assists this season. 

For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @NanooksVB on Instagram or Twitter, or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook. 
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