BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Nanooks volleyball team fell to the Western Washington Vikings on Saturday, Sept. 23. The five-set sent the 'Nooks to 7-10, 0-3 GNAC. 

Alaska bested Western Washington in every team category, except for aces and blocks. The Nanooks outscored the Vikings, 68.5 to 68, out-killed 52-48, out-assisted 47-43 and out-dug 80-69 in the close five-set loss. Both teams' defense caused problems in the match, as Western Washington hit .168 over the five sets while Alaska only hit .138. In the first, the Nanooks managed only eight kills while posting eight errors. The opposition tallied 10 kills and zero errors, knocking-off the 'Nooks 25-11. In the second, the Nanooks pulled themselves from an even hit percentage, rising to a .281 hit percentage, collecting 15 kills and six errors, while Western Washington posted nine kills and seven errors. Alaska held Western Washington to just .067 hit percent in the second set, winning 25-16. The third set saw the Nanooks' offense lose momentum as they posted their least efficient offensive set of the night with nine kills and 11 errors. The errors proved too much to overcome as the Vikings won the third set, 25-19. The fourth set saw the Nanooks' offense gain traction as they posted their most efficient offense set of the night with 13 kills and four errors. The defense responded, too, holding the Vikings to their least efficient set of the night with a .056 hit percentage. The 'Nooks won the fourth set 25-18. The Nanooks looked to secure a victory in the fifth set, and the offense did its part with the most efficient set of the night with seven kills to just one error for a .286 hit percentage. Still, the Vikings' attack was too much to overcome as they won it and completed the five-set victory, 15-11.

Karli Nielson led the offense for Alaska as the junior finished the night with 15 kills on 32 attacks. She ended with a .281 hit percentage while adding three digs. Ainsley Smith posted a double-double for Alaska as the setter dished out 16 assists and dug 16 attacks. 

The Nanooks head home for a matchup with Seattle Pacific University on Thursday, Sept. 28. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. AKST at the Patty Center. Thursday's matchup is a whiteout and postgame poster signing.  

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