ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Nanooks volleyball team fell in their third to final match of the 2023 season. The three-set loss to #19 Central Washington drops Alaska to 13-17, 6-10 GNAC.

Central's offense was too much for the Nanooks on the night as the Wildcats posted 42 kills to the Nanooks' 30. Despite averaging 10 kills per set, the Nanooks only swung .114 on their attacks while Central boasted a .398 hit percentage. The best set for the Nanooks offense came in the second when they tallied 12 kills and a .167 hit percentage. CWU also outblocked Alaska 7-3 and the 'Nooks surrendered 18 errors to Central's five. 

In the first, Alaska had nine kills but eight errors for a .03 swing percentage. The Wildcats came out hot as they posted 12 kills with no errors and a .462 hit percentage. They'd quickly defeat the Nanooks in the first by the score of 25-13. In the second, the Nanooks rallied and put up a fight but ultimately fell 25-19. They posted their match-high 12 kills and .167 hit percentage but six errors to CWU's three played the difference alongside the Wildcats' 14 kills and .282 swing percentage. The third set went to CWU with the same score as the first, 25-13. The 'Nooks had nine kills and four errors but Central had 16 with only two errors for a .500 swing percentage. They outscored the Nanooks in points 59-36, tallied a dozen more kills, seven more aces, four more blocks, dished 12 more assists and outdug the Nanooks 45-39. 

Four Nanooks had five kills; Ella Bines, Kristina Head, Josie Jansen and Lily Stewart. Kinley Erickson had a team-high 14 digs and Ainsley Smith dished a team-high 12 assists. 

The Nanooks continue this road-trip with Northwest Nazarene on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 11:00 a.m. AKST. 

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