FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team returns to the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium this week with contests against Western Oregon and Saint Martin's. The team will be doing a poster signing after the match vs. the Wolves on Thursday evening.

Sept. 26
7 p.m. vs. Western Oregon

Sept. 28
2 p.m. vs. Saint Martin's

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Live Stats

Last Time Out
The Nanooks went 1-1 in their first weekend of GNAC matches, taking a five-set thriller against Western Washington for their first-ever win at Carver Gymnasium before falling in three sets to Simon Fraser. Alaska hit .154 over the two contests, averaging 10.5 kills per set compared to .236 and 12.75 for its opponents.

During the first contest against the Vikings, the Nanooks recorded 63 team kills and swung .262 compared to .241 for Western Washington. Rachel Pierce led the team with 18 kills and posted a .375 hitting percentage, while Karli Nielson notched 17 kills while hitting .424 during the contest. Nielson also notched a career-high 20 digs, leading the team and giving her another double-double. Ansley Smith joined Nielson in setting personal bests during the match, tallying a career-high 56 assists.

During Alaska's second match of the weekend, Elena Guc led the team with five kills, while Josie Jansen put up four kills and five block assists.

Quick Hitters

• Smith ranks 46th in the nation in assists per set with 9.79 this season. The mark is good for first in the GNAC, while her 460 assists is over 200 more than the next closest setter.
• Pierce comes in fourth in the GNAC in hitting percentage, swinging at a .325 clip. Nielsen rounds out the top 10 in the conference rankings with a .281 mark.
• Elizabeth Jackson is averaging 1.05 blocks per set this season, which puts her third in the GNAC. Jansen sits right behind her in fourth with 1.03.
• Alaska has the highest hitting percentage among all GNAC schools, posting a mark of .240 as a team this season. They also lead the conference in kills per set with 12.94.

Western Oregon 8-2, 1-1 GNAC
Head Coach: Kaiao Nahale-a (3rd Season)
Player to Watch: Madison Hornback, OH, Senior (2024 Stats: 126 kills, 3.15 kills per set, .216 hit percentage, 1.70 digs per set, 14 total blocks)

Saint Martin's 3-7, 1-1 GNAC
Head Coach: Wade Taylor (1st Season)
Player to Watch: Emily Garten OH, Sophomore (2024 Stats: 77 kills, 2.20 kills per set, 25 aces, 2.51 digs per set, 9 total blocks)

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