PORTLAND, Ore. – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) announced its 2025 GNAC Volleyball Academic All-Conference Team, presented by Barnes & Noble College, on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team had eight representatives named to the list — the second-most in the conference behind Western Oregon's 11 selections.

"This is an amazing achievement by our student-athletes," said Nanooks head coach Brian Scott. "Congratulations to all of them for the hard work and commitment they have shown to their academics. I absolutely believe that the work they put into their studies translates to the same kind of effort they show on the court. We are very fortunate to have a team full of athletes who are dedicated to being great students as well as competitors."

The Nanooks had three three-time honorees on this year's Academic All-Conference Team. Elena Guc, Elizabeth Jackson, and Ainsley Smith all earned their third career selections. Guc was one of just seven student-athletes in the conference to post a perfect 4.00 GPA this year. A senior from East China, Mich., she has maintained her 4.00 GPA while studying homeland security and was also named to the team in 2023 and 2024. Jackson, a senior middle blocker from Graham, N.C., joined Guc as a three-time honoree after maintaining a 3.40 GPA in psychology. Smith, a North Pole, Alaska, native, earned her third selection with a 3.83 GPA in biological sciences.

Cynphany Henderson was recognized for the second time in her career. The setter from Otsego, Minn., earned a 3.64 GPA while majoring in biological sciences.

Four Nanooks earned Academic All-Conference honors for the first time: Presley Engelauf, Tessa Onaga, Larissa Barreiros Scatamburlo and McKenna Smith. Engelauf, a sophomore middle blocker from Englewood, Fla., carries a 3.64 GPA in biological sciences. Onaga, a junior libero from Honolulu, Hi., earned her first selection with a 3.27 GPA in civil engineering. Barreiros Scatamburlo, a senior from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, joined Guc among the seven student-athletes in the conference with a 4.00 GPA. The Nanooks were one of just two teams with multiple 4.00 GPAs, matching Western Oregon. McKenna Smith, a sophomore from North Pole, Alaska, rounded out the Nanooks' honorees with a 3.96 GPA in business administration, joining her sister Ainsley on this year's team.

To qualify for the Academic All-Conference Team, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.20, be in at least their second season competing for their team, and have competed in the 2025 campaign.