ANCHORAGE - The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team opens up the 2025 season at the Hawaii/Alaska Challenge, presented by Alaska Airlines. This will be the 10th season for Nanooks head coach Brian Scott.

Thursday, Aug. 28
vs. Chaminade | 4 p.m.
Anchorage | Alaska Airlines Center

Friday, Aug. 29
vs. Hawaii Pacific | 10 a.m.
vs. Hawaii Hilo | 4 p.m.
Anchorage | Alaska Airlines Center

Saturday, Aug. 30
vs. TBD | 9 a.m.
Anchorage | Alaska Airlines Center

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Last Time Out
The 'Nooks took to the court a week ago for their annual Blue/Gold Scrimmage. Team Blue grabbed a dominant 3-0 win over Gold. 

Hawaii/Alaska Challenge
The 'Nooks open up against the Chaminade Silverswords on Thursday night. CUH went 28-5 a year ago, completing a perfect 20-0 record in the PacWest Conference before falling to the No. 2-seed San Francisco State in the NCAA Division II West Regional. Chaminade knocked Alaska off in four sets last season. In game two, the Nanooks will face the Sharks of Hawaii Pacific. HPU looks to build after a tough 2024 slate that left them 2-24, 2-18 PacWest. The 'Nooks swept HPU a season ago in Hawaii. Game two on Friday is against Hawaii Hilo. The Vulcans took a five-setter from the 'Nooks last year in Honolulu, Hi. UHH went 16-14, 11-9 PacWest last year. 

Saturday's 9 a.m. contest is TBD and will be determined by records by all teams over the course of days one and two. 

Oh Captain(s), My Captain(s)
Elena Guc and Ainsley Smith were named the captains of the 2025 Alaska Nanooks volleyball team on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Alongside the leadership role, the two were also named to 2025 GNAC Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Guc, a right-side hitter from East China, Michigan, appeared in all 28 matches last season, recording 259 kills, 89 digs and 84 blocks while earning All-GNAC Honorable Mention honors. Smith, a setter from North Pole, Alaska, led the GNAC with 869 assists and added 281 digs, 28 service aces and 29 blocks, also collecting All-GNAC Honorable Mention recognition. Both return as key leaders for the Nanooks following standout 2024 campaigns.

2024 Year in Review
The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team capped a historic 2024 campaign with a 21-7 record, a 13-5 GNAC mark, and a second-place league finish, matching the most wins in program history. Picked sixth in the preseason poll, the Nanooks surged with milestones including their first-ever win at Western Washington, a sweep of Alaska Anchorage, and a nine-win homestand to close the year on a 9-1 run. Their .750 win percentage set a program record, and they ranked among the nation's best in blocking and offensive categories while leading the GNAC in several stats.

Individually, Karli Nielson earned GNAC First Team honors and became the Nanooks' first AVCA All-American since 2022. Rilee White also landed on the First Team, finishing as the GNAC's all-time leader in service aces and the first player with 1,000 kills, 1,000 digs, and 200 aces. Elena Guc and Ainsley Smith earned honorable mention honors, while Josie Jansen, Elizabeth Jackson, and Tessa Onaga ranked among the league's top defenders. With records set and a strong core returning, Alaska looks to push for the NCAA postseason in 2025.

2025 Preseason Poll
The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team collected 79 points in the 2025 GNAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll, released Tuesday, Aug. 19. The Nanooks tied Western Washington for third place in the 10-team conference poll.

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GNAC Network
The GNAC Network, available online at www.gnacnetwork.com, will serve as a centralized hub where access to live video streams for all 10 of the conference's members will be available for the sports of women's and men's soccer, volleyball, women's and men's basketball, baseball and softball. All GNAC live streams will be available on a pay-per-view basis for the first 48 hours following each contest. After that window, on-demand access to the event will be available to fans free of charge. Additionally, day passes for the sports of baseball and softball will go on sale 12 hours prior to the scheduled start time, ensuring fair access while helping schools manage streaming demand and access to the games effectively.

"We're excited to partner with Hudl to bring a unified streaming experience to GNAC fans," said GNAC Commissioner Bridget Johnson Tetteh. "This partnership provides a standard landing page where fans can easily access live and on-demand video for all GNAC athletic contests in one place. In addition, the revenue generated gives our member schools a valuable opportunity to reinvest in their streaming infrastructure and continue enhancing the quality of broadcasts across the conference."

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