ANCHORAGE - The Nanooks volleyball team heads back south to Anchorage for the UAA Volleyball Invitational this week and weekend. They'll play three matches in the Alaska Airlines Center.

Thursday, Sept. 4
vs. Cal State San Marcos | 4 p.m.
Anchorage, Alaska | Alaska Airlines Center

Friday, Sept. 5
vs. Biola | 12 p.m.
Anchorage, Alaska | Alaska Airlines Center

Saturday, Sept. 6
vs. Minot State | 9 a.m.
Anchorage, Alaska | Alaska Airlines Center

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GNAC Network ($$$)
The GNAC Network, available 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.

Last Time Out
The Nanooks kicked off the 2025 season last weekend in Anchorage. Over four matches, they went 3-1. They started the year with a five-set thriller over No. 9 Chaminade before sweeping Hawaii Pacific the following morning. They fell in five to Hawai'i-Hilo on day two before coming back and sweeping Chaminade in their final game. 

GNAC Player of the Week
Elena Guc brought home the first weekly honor of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 2. She was named the GNAC Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week for her efforts in Anchorage at the Hawaii/Alaska Challenge. This was her second-career player of the week honor and first this season. 

"Elena's growth and development continues to impress me," said head coach Brian Scott. "She consistently makes plays on the court that allow our team to succeed. In many cases, those plays come in the highest-pressure situations to give us critical points, momentum changes or defensive stops."

All-Tournament Team
Elena Guc and Tessa Onaga were named to the All-Tournament team this weekend. Guc led the way with 47 kills (2.94/set) last weekend. She swung .248 as the 'Nooks went 3-1. She added 24 digs (1.50/set), 10 blocks (0.63/set), and five aces (0.31/set). Guc had three 10+ kill performances in Anchorage, including a 10-kill, 11-dig, double-double in a quick 3-0 win over Hawaii Pacific on Aug. 29. She added five blocks that match, and an ace. Elena Guc also earned an All-Tournament nod after the Nanooks 3-1 performance with two wins over No. 9 Chaminade. 

Onaga led the way for the Nanooks in the back row. She tallied 70 digs (4.38/set) while adding nine assists and four aces in four games. She cleared 10 digs in each game, gathering 20+ in two games as well. Day one saw her put together a 23-dig, six assist performance as the 'Nooks knocked off No. 9 Chaminade. Her next 23-dig performance came in the five-set loss to Hawaii Hilo. She added an ace and assist in that performance.

#NookNotes

• Elena Guc leads the Nanooks in total kills with 47. Mikala Henderson follows with 38 (2.92/set). 
• Ainsley Smith leads the way with 83 assists. Cynphany Henderson follows with 58 of her own. 
• On the defensive end, Onaga leads the way with 70 digs. Mikala Henderson is second on the team with 38. Haylee Lyons also has 33 on the year.
• Presley Engelauf and Peri Hoshock have been huge at the net for the Nanooks this season through four matches. Engelauf leads the way with 19 blocks, all assists. Hoshock follows with 17 total blocks on 13 block assists and four solo blocks. 
• Elena Guc also adds 10 total blocks, all assists. 
• The Nanooks have 25 aces through four matches. They posted nine against Hawai'i-Hilo in their five-set loss. 

What's to Come
The Nanooks will face Cal State San Marcos on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 4 p.m. The Cougars went 9-16, 7-11 CCAA a year ago. This will be the first-ever matchup for the Nanooks and Cougars. On day two, the Nanooks take on Biola at 12 p.m. Alaska won the last matchup against Biola on Sept. 8, 2023 (3-1). Since 2017, the Nanooks are 3-1. The 'Nooks wrap up the Seawolf Invitational with Minot State at 9 a.m. Minot State won the only other matchup with the Nanooks in 2015 (2-3). 

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.

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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