FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks volleyball team opens up their 2025 GNAC schedule this week as they travel to Billings, Mont. and Seattle, Wash. for matchups with MSUB and SPU. Alaska is 9-1 entering their conference slate, and has won seven matches in a row.
Thursday, Sept. 18
at Montana State Billings | 5 p.m. AKST
Alterowitz Gymnasium | Billings, Mont.
Watch Here ($$) | Live Stats
Saturday, Sept. 20
at Seattle Pacific | 1 p.m. AKST
Royal Brougham Pavilion | Seattle, Wash.
Watch Here ($$) | Live Stats
Last Time Out
The Nanooks are fresh off of a 3-0 record on their home court last weekend at the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic. Alaska opened up their home calendar with a trio of wins over Rollins (3-2), Cal State San Bernardino (3-2), and Rockhurst (3-1). Their final victory laid claim to the title as the Nanooks were the only remaining undefeated team in this year's Classic. Cynphany Henderson and Tessa Onaga were named All-Tournament selections while Kelli Wright went home with the MVP award.
Player of the Week
Tessa Onaga earned the GNAC Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week honor after her performances at home. The junior posted 4.36 digs per set over the week and currently sits third in the conference with a 4.41 digs-per-set average this season. Her standout showing came against Cal State San Bernardino, who received votes in the latest national coaches poll, where she tallied a season-best 29 digs in Alaska's five-set victory. Beyond anchoring the defense, Onagaalso contributed 18 assists and seven service aces while patrolling the court this past weekend.
Up the Vote
The Nanooks received 74 votes on Monday, Sept. 15 in the AVCA/Taraflex Division II WVB Poll. This total puts them No. 28 on the poll, missing the Top 25 by three spots. Ahead of them in the receiving votes category was Western Washington (121 votes), and Cal Poly Pomona (91 votes).
#NookNotes
- The Nanooks are 9-1 entering GNAC play. They are currently sitting t-2nd in the GNAC standings entering conference play, trailing only Simon Fraser (6-0). They are tied with UAA who is also 9-1 on the season.
- Elena Guc is leading the Nanooks offensive attack through 10 matches. She has 110 kills through 41 sets played, good for 2.68/set. She is swinging .180 while adding 43 digs, 34 blocks (all assist), 0.83 blocks per set, five aces, and two assists.
- Her kills total puts her in the top five of the GNAC.
- Kelli Wright joins her in the top 10 as Wright as added 98 kills this season, and 2.51 per set. She is swinging .215 on the year and has added 18 digs and 15 blocks.
- At the net, Peri Hoshock has led the Nanooks all year. She enters conference play with 50 total blocks (1.37/set), with six solo blocks. She's added 51 kills, 28 digs, six aces and four assists. Her block totals enter this week second in the nation and GNAC.
- Ainsley Smith leads the 'Nooks with 193 assists. Cynphany Henderson has joined the distribution as well, posting 185 of her own assists. Henderson has 110 digs while Smith adds 73.
- Tessa Onaga leads the way with 181 digs (4.41/set). She ranks sixth in the nation and leads the GNAC in total digs. Her digs/set total is third in the GNAC.
- Onaga also has 19 aces on the year, good for first in the conference and 10th in the NCAA DII.
Block Party
The Nanooks currently lead the nation in total team blocks. They have 104.0 total blocks through 41 sets, good for 2.54 blocks per set. That rate puts them 18th in the nation and fourth in the GNAC. Simon Fraser currently leads the nation and conference with 3.52 blocks per set.
GNAC Standings
Entering GNAC play, let's take a look at how the conference foes stacked up in non-conference play.
- Simon Fraser (6-0)
- Alaska Anchorage (9-1)
- Alaska (9-1)
- Saint Martin's (7-1)
- Western Washington (6-1)
- Seattle Pacific (5-3)
- Central Washington (4-3)
- Montana State Billings (1-3)
- Northwest Nazarene (1-6)
- Western Oregon (1-7)
Meet the Opponents
Montana State Billings (1-3, 0-0 GNAC)
Head Coach: Scott Keister, 1st Season
Player to Watch: Addison Holcomb, Fr., OH
The Yellowjackets enter GNAC play 1-3 on the young season. They traveled to Minot, N.D. for the 1st International Bank Homecoming Classic, hosted by Minot State and played four matches in two days. They opened up with a loss to the host-team, Minot State (1-3) before grabbing their only win so far against Brandon Univ. (3-0). On day two, MSUB fell to the Univ. of Mary (0-3), and battled with the Univ. of Manitoba but fell in five. MSUB received 10 votes in the GNAC VB Preseason Coaches Poll, and was selected to finish 10th this year.
Seattle Pacific Falcons (5-3, 0-0 GNAC)
Head Coach: Jason Rhine, 4th Season
Player to Watch: Megan Omlid, Fr., OH
Seattle Pacific enters conference play at 5-3 after a pair of non-conference tournaments. They opened up 4-0 at the Otter Invitational in Seaside, Calif. where they defeated Lincoln Memorial (3-0), and the host-team, CSU Monterey Bay (3-1) on day one. Day two saw them win over Westminster (Utah) in straight sets, before defeating Dominican in four. They then traveled to Nampa, Idaho for the Nighthawks Classic where they went 1-3. They fell in two matches to Colorado Mines (1-3) and Westminster (1-3) before picking up a four-set win over Westmont. They then played CUI and fell in straight sets to wrap up their non-conference matches. Seattle Pacific takes on Alaska Anchorage on Thursday, Sept. 18. The Falcons received 37 votes in this season's GNAC VB Preseason Coaches Poll. They were predicted to finish eighth in the standings.
What's to Come
Alaska returns home next week. They welcome the Saint Martin's Saints on Thursday, Sept. 25 and the Western Oregon Wolves on Saturday, Sept. 27. More details about each game can be found at this link.
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