BILLINGS, Mont. - The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team opened up GNAC play in big fashion on Thursday night. Alaska moved past Montana State Billings (1-4, 0-1 GNAC) in straight sets to improve to 10-1, 1-0 GNAC.
How it Happened
Alaska picked up a set one win, 25-19, behind 13 kills. They kept MSUB even, allowing 10 kills while forcing them into 10 errors for a .000 swing percentage. In the second, the Nanooks ran away with a commanding 25-10 win before winning the third 25-22. In the first, the Yellowjackets ran out to a quick 4-1 lead. Alaska responded with five-straight points before stretching their lead to 13-9. MSUB stayed within striking distance, but after Alaska took an 18-15 lead, they maintained enough distance for the six-point win.
The second set was all Nanooks. After jumping out to a quick 11-5 lead, the Nanooks used a 7-0 run that made it 20-9. MSUB ended the run with a kill, but Alaska finished on a 4-0 run to take the second 25-10. Alaska's momentum hung around into the third; they opened up the final set with a 5-2 lead. It grew to 13-6 near the midway point of the set, but MSUB battled back. The Yellowjackets erased a seven-point Nanooks' lead and pulled to within one at 20-19. The two sides traded three-point runs, but it was the Nanooks who got the last laugh. An MSUB service error followed by an
Elena Guc kill gave the 'Nooks the 25-22 set win and 3-0 match win.
Inside the Numbers
- Alaska had 31 kills in tonight's sweep of MSUB. They were led by Elena Guc, who finished with eight kills. She swung .238 and added six block assists, three digs, and an ace.
- As a team, the Nanooks had 10 total blocks. Guc's six was a match-high. Peri Hoshock, Elizabeth Jackson, and Kelli Wright all added four.
- Tessa Onaga had a match-high 16 digs. She was the only Nanook in double-digits.
- Tonight's sweep was the third-straight sweep of MSUB for the Nanooks. Alaska has now won seven straight matches over the Yellowjackets.
- Cynphany Henderson had a team-high nine assists. Ashlyn White saw a lot of time tonight for the 'Nooks and posted eight assists in the win. Ainsley Smith added seven. As a team, the Nanooks had 29 assists.
- The Nanooks have now won eight straight matches. This is their longest since their nine-match win streak a season ago (Aug. 31-Sept. 19).
What's to Come
The Nanooks head to Seattle Pacific on Saturday, Sept. 20. Alaska has won the last two matchups against the Falcons, including last season's matchup in Seattle, Wash. (3-0). Alaska looks to go 2-0 in the first week of GNAC play for the first time since 2021.
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