FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team concluded a landmark 2024 season with a 21-7, 13-5 GNAC mark and a series of individual accolades cementing the team's place in program and conference history.

The Nanooks entered the 2024 volleyball season with high expectations despite a sixth-place preseason pick from the GNAC. Throughout the first half of the schedule, they delivered with grit, growth, and glimpses of greatness. The season began with a tough road trip to Hawai'i, where Alaska dropped two close matches to Chaminade and Hawai'i Hilo, but rebounded quickly with a dominant sweep over Hawai'i Pacific. From there, the Nanooks caught fire—winning eight of their next nine matches, including a thrilling five-set victory over Azusa Pacific and commanding sweeps of Felician and Slippery Rock. The 'Nooks capped off the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic with a 3-1 win over UNC Pembroke, claiming the 2024 title, winning the tiebreaker over Alaska Anchorage, who also went 3-0 in Fairbanks. 

By the time GNAC play opened on Sept. 19, Alaska held an 8–2 non-conference record and had built valuable chemistry and confidence.

Their conference debut made an immediate statement: a hard-fought five-set win at Western Washington for their first-ever win at Carver Gymnasium. That momentum was briefly halted by a sweep at Simon Fraser, but the Nanooks responded with key wins over Western Oregon and Seattle Pacific.

A four-set home loss to Saint Martin's and a pair of road wins over Montana State Billings and Seattle Pacific highlighted a mid-season stretch that saw Alaska balance fatigue and form. As of mid-October, the Nanooks stood at 12–5, 4–3 GNAC, showing signs of a team ready to break through the GNAC hierarchy. Through the first half of the season, Karli Nielson provided the necessary force on the attack, notching double-digit kills in 13 of the first 15 matches. Rilee White continued her historic pace from the service line, climbing GNAC career leaderboard while contributing both offensively and defensively. Newcomer Tessa Onaga also provided stability in the back row while Ainsley Smith took the reigns in the distribution department. Entering the back half of GNAC play at 12–5 overall and 4–3 in the conference, the Nanooks knew consistency would be key. After two tough losses at home to Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene, Alaska flipped the script and kicked off a run that would define their season.

It started with a four-set rivalry win over Alaska Anchorage, energizing the home crowd of 556 and providing a crucial momentum shift. That win ignited a six-match win streak, with dramatic five-set victories at Saint Martin's and Western Oregon, followed by sweeps of Montana State Billings and Northwest Nazarene and a five-set win over Seattle Pacific. 

The Nanooks continued to grind out wins with resilience and balance, finishing the season on a 9-1 run to close at 21-7, 13-5 GNAC, giving them a second-place finish in the GNAC standings. On Nov. 16, they completed the season-sweep of Alaska Anchorage in front of nearly 4400 fans at UAA. They made quick work of Alaska Anchorage, rebounding from a tough five-set loss to Central Washington the weekend before, their lone loss in the final 10 games of the season. Their final homestand was against Simon Fraser and Western Washington. On Nov. 21, the 'Nooks posted a 3-1 win over the Red Leafs after dropping the first set. The fuel from the big win over SFU rolled over into Senior Day on Nov. 23 as the Nanooks rallied past Western Washington to earn the season sweep of the Vikings and grab their ninth home win of the season in front of almost 700 Nanook fans. 

2024 GNAC Volleyball Standings

1. Central Washington (18-7, 16-2 GNAC)
2. Alaska (21-7, 13-5 GNAC)
3. Simon Fraser (17-9, 13-5 GNAC)
4. Western Washington (12-12, 11-7 GNAC)
5. Alaska Anchorage (16-12, 10-8 GNAC)
6. Seattle Pacific (10-16, 10-8 GNAC)
7. Western Oregon (15-12, 7-11 GNAC)
8. Northwest Nazarene (9-17, 6-12 GNAC)
9. Saint Martin's (6-20, 4-14 GNAC)
10. Montana State Billings (7-21, 0-18 GNAC)

Post-Season Accolades
Despite not making the NCAA West Regional, the Nanooks took home plenty of post-season honors through the GNAC and AVCA. Karli Nielson posted a GNAC First Team All-Conference honor after leading the Nanooks with 372 kills (3.48/set) while adding 259 digs and 32 service aces. She was not only one of the top players in the conference, but she was also named an AVCA All-Region selection out of the West Region, and then was named an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention selection following a powerful senior season. She became the first Nanook to earn All-American honors since Jessa Long in 2022. Joining her with a GNAC First Team All-Conference selection was Rilee White. White had a historic season for the Nanooks, tallying 265 kills, 57 aces, and 258 digs on the season. Not only did White become the first player in GNAC volleyball history to surpass 1k kills, 1k digs, and 200 aces in a career, but she became the GNAC record-holder for career service aces. She broke the record on Nov. 21 against SFU, surpassing Ellen Floyd's (UAA) previous ace record of 213 in a career. 

Elena Guc and Ainsley Smith joined Nielson and White on the All-GNAC list, making appearances on the GNAC Volleyball All-Conference Honorable Mention team. Guc finished 2024 with 259 kills with a .243 hit percentage, adding 84 total blocks. Smith was the main setter for the Nanooks during 2024, posting 869 assists (7.9/set), also contributing 281 digs and 28 aces.

Additional Stats
Josie Jansen led the way for the Nanooks this season, posting 107 total blocks on 100 block assists and seven solo blocks for 1.15 blocks per set. That per set total was second in the GNAC and 47th in the NCAA Division II for 2024. Elizabeth Jackson followed with 1.09/set, placing fifth in the GNAC and 67th in the nation. Tessa Onaga posted 450 digs in her first year with the blue and gold. That was third in the GNAC and 87th in the nation. Her 4.09 digs/set was fifth in the conference ranks and 127th in the nation. 

As a team, the Nanooks were one of the best blocking teams in NCAA DII. They averaged 2.47 blocks/set, good for second in the GNAC and 18th in the country. They also ranked 18th in the nation with 271.5 total blocks, good enough to lead the GNAC. They led the GNAC in six other team categories, assists per set (12.40), kills per set (13.2), match W-L percentage (.750), team assists (1364), team kills (1452), and total team attacks (3921). 

Historic Totals
The 21 wins this season matched the most in program history for the Nanooks. The only other 21-win season for the Alaska Nanooks came in 1995-96 under head coach Tim Brown, and Alaska finished the season 21-13 (.618). Additionally, the .750 win percentage this season was a new program record for the Nanooks as they wrapped up the regular season 21-7. For head coach Brian Scott, this was the third season with 18+ wins and his fourth winning season since taking over in 2015-16. Since 2021, the Nanooks and Coach Scott are 71-49.

Looking ahead to next season, the Nanooks look to continue to build around their core of returners and look to break through into the postseason for the first time.

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