PORTLAND, Ore. - The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) named Elena Guc the GNAC Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, Nov. 24. This is Guc's second-career GNAC weekly honor, and first this season. 

Guc was outstanding in her final regular-season appearances, tallying 12 total blocks in two victories, including 10 block assists in the sweep of Montana State Billings on Saturday, Nov. 22. She averaged 2.0 blocks per set last week as Alaska swept both matches and clinched a share of its first-ever GNAC volleyball title. Guc also came close to a double-double against MSUB, posting eight kills after recording nine in the victory over Seattle Pacific. Across 103 career matches, she amassed 273 blocks and 793 kills, helping lift the Nanooks to the top of the conference.

"As always, Gucster made the big plays when we needed them most," said head coach Brian Scott. "She always seems to shine in big moments. This week was more of the same as she made the kill or got us a crucial block to keep or change momentum."

The Nanooks finished the regular season 23-5, 14-4 GNAC, and Co-Champions alongside Alaska Anchorage, Central Washington, and Simon Fraser. This is the Nanooks' first-ever GNAC Championship in volleyball. They also earned the GNAC's lone automatic qualifier for the 2025 NCAA Volleyball Tournament, marking the first time in program history the Nanooks will compete in the national tournament. 

The NCAA DII Volleyball Selection Show is today at 3:30 p.m. AKST and can be watched on NCAA.com.

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