FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team returns home for a two-game slate on Thursday, Sept. 28 and 30. The 'Nooks look to get back in the win-column after falling at SFU and WWU. 

Thursday, Sept. 28
vs. Seattle Pacific | 7:00 p.m.
White Out | Postgame Poster Signing

Saturday, Sept. 30
vs. Montana State Billings | 2:00 p.m.

Watch Here | Live Stats | Tickets

Last Time Out
The Nanooks return home after spending last week at RV Simon Fraser and RV Western Washington. In game one at Simon Fraser, the Nanooks fell to the Red Leafs in straight-sets. Alaska fell 25-17, 25-15 and 25-16 to SFU, dropping to 7-9, 0-2 GNAC at the time. They then went to Bellingham, Wash. for a matchup with the Vikings of WWU. The 'Nooks took them to five but fell 3-2 to Western Washington. After dropping the first 25-11, the Nanooks grabbed the second 25-16. WWU took the third but a 25-18 fourth for the 'Nooks sent them the distance before falling in the fifth 15-11. 

Quick Hitters

• As a team, the Nanooks are fourth in the nation with 702 assists. They are 20th with 916 digs, third with 756 kills, sixth with 2181 attacks and fifth with 125.5 total blocks.
• Rilee White cracked the top-50 in the nation for service aces. The junior PIN has 25 on the season, good for third in the GNAC. 
• Karli Nielson has been a mainstay on the 'Nooks offensive end; she is currently 29th in the nation with 510 attacks and 35th in the nation with 186 kills, good for second in the GNAC behind only Nicole Blue of UAA (218). 
• Cynphany Henderson was a GNAC Offensive Player of the Week nominee this past week after leading the team with 38 assists, posting two aces, 19 digs (2.38/set) and picking up a block. 
• Kinley Erickson earned a GNAC Defensive Player of the Week nomination this past week after leading the team with 28 digs (4.00/set), dishing out nine assists and adding a kill.
• The Nanooks first opponent this weekend, Seattle Pacific, jumped into the AVCA Top-25 this week. They are up to #24 in the nation and are riding a nine-game winning streak. The Falcons enter this week's match 11-2, 4-0 GNAC.
• Montana State Billings enters this week still looking for their first win in GNAC play. They've dropped 11-straight and are currently 2-12, 0-4 GNAC.

GNAC Standings

1. Seattle Pacific (11-2, 4-0 GNAC)
2. Simon Fraser (8-4, 3-1 GNAC)
3. Western Washington (3-9, 3-1 GNAC)
4. Saint Martin's (8-4, 2-1 GNAC)
5. Central Washington (8-4, 2-2 GNAC)
6. Northwest Nazarene (6-6, 2-2 GNAC)
7. Western Oregon (7-4, 1-2 GNAC)
8. Alaska Anchorage (9-9, 1-2 GNAC)
9. Alaska (7-10, 0-3 GNAC)
10. Montana State Billings (2-12, 0-4 GNAC)

National Presence
The GNAC has five teams appearing in the Sept. 25 AVCA/TARAFLEX Division II rankings. Central Washington (#18) and Seattle Pacific (#24) check-in in the top-25 while Western Washington, Alaska Anchorage and Simon Fraser are all receiving votes. 

Opponents

Seattle Pacific Falcons (11-2, 4-0 GNAC)
Head Coach: Jason Rhine (Second Season)
Player to Watch: Hannah Hair, MB, Senior (75 kills, 1.83/set, .345 hit percentage, 64.0 total blocks, 15 solo, 49 assist, 1.56/set, 13 digs)
2023 Statistics

Montana State Billings (2-12, 0-4 GNAC)
Head Coach: Casey Bonner (Eighth Season)
Player to Watch: Christine Funk, DS/L, Jr. (43 assists, 13 aces, 336 digs, 6.00/set)
2023 Statistics

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