FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks dropped its contest against Central Washington on Thursday morning in straight sets. The Nanooks fell in the first set 25-22 before dropping the second set 25-21 and ended the match with a 25-19 set loss. With the loss, Alaska drops to 12-5, 4-3 GNAC, while the Wildcats remain undefeated in conference play, advancing to 8-4, 6-0 GNAC.
How it Happened
The Nanooks began the opening set up 7-5, with Karli Nielson slamming three kills out of the gate. However, the Wildcats responded by scoring the following seven points to take an 11-7 lead. A 5-1 run at the end of the set brought the Nanooks back to within two, but CWU ended the comeback attempt with an Ellie Marble kill to give them the three-point set victory. The Nanooks posted a .227 hitting percentage as a team during the set, while the Wildcats recorded a mark of .302.
The second set started with both teams tied at four prior to a 6-0 Wildcats run that brought their lead to 10-4. Alaska brought the deficit down to two, with Rilee White collecting two kills in a 7-3 run to make it 13-11. However, the visitors responded with a five-point unanswered run, giving them a seven-point advantage. CWU's lead would not dip below three points, and the Wildcats took the second set 25-21. Alaska recorded a .175 hitting percentage, posting 12 team kills to CWU's 17.
The Wildcats opened up a narrow 11-10 lead to begin the third, with Nielson and Elena Guc each notching a pair of kills. CWU followed with a 7-1 run, taking an 18-11 lead. The Nanooks followed that run with a block from Guc and Josie Jansen and an ace by Cynphany Henderson to take the next two points. The Nanooks would cut the deficit to 20-17, aided by kills from Nielson and Rachel Pierce, but could not maintain their momentum as the next four points went to Central Washington. After kills from Nielson and Guc, the Wildcats closed the match with a kill from Emma Daoud-Hebert, taking the final set by six points. Alaska posted its worst hitting percentage of the match in the third set, hitting .023 compared to .263 for the Wildcats.
By the Numbers
- Nielson was the only Nanook to post double-digit kills, finishing with 10. She also added an ace and nine digs.
- Guc finished with nine kills, swinging at a .250 clip in the contest. She also led the team with three block assists. Jansen and Elizabeth Jackson both notched two block assists.
- Ainsley Smith and Henderson each tallied double-digit assists, with Smith leading the way with 19. Henderson collected 11 assists during the contest.
- Tessa Onaga notched double-digit digs once again, collecting 12 in the match.
What's Next
The Nanooks are back in action Saturday afternoon when they welcome Northwest Nazarene to the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium, with first serve set for 2 p.m.
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