ANCHORAGE - The Nanooks volleyball team improved to 5-1 on the season with a 3-2 win over Biola on Friday afternoon. With the win, the Nanooks improved to 2-0 at the Seawolf Invitational.
How it Happened
Alaska powered past Biola on Friday, Sept. 5, behind 60 kills in a five-set battle. The Nanooks jumped out to an early lead with a 25-15 win in the opening set, holding Biola to eight kills while forcing seven errors. The Eagles responded in the second, evening the match at 1-1 with a 25-22 win, hitting .282 to Alaska's .156.
The third set slowed offensively on both sides, but the Nanooks edged out a 26-24 victory to regain the advantage. Biola answered again in the fourth, forcing a decisive fifth frame. Alaska closed it out with a .267 hitting percentage to secure the match, 15-12.
Inside the Numbers
- Alaska had three players with double-digit kills. All three surpassed 15 on the day with Haylee Lyons leading with 16. Elena Guc and Kelli Wright both added 15.
- Wright led the way with a .279 swing percentage on 43 total attacks.
- Lyons finished with a double-double, posting 10 digs alongside three aces and two assists.
- Both Cynphany Henderson and Ainsley Smith played huge roles for the 'Nooks in their victory. Both setters finished the day with a double-double. Smith posted 27 assists and 12 digs in the win while Henderson posted a 20-20 double-double, finishing with 23 assists and 25 digs.
- Her 25 digs matched Tessa Onaga's 25 digs for a team-high. Onaga added four assists and four aces.
- Alaska had nine team blocks on Friday. Peri Hoshock led the way with five block assists. Presley Engelauf and Elena Guc followed with four each.
- The Nanooks had 94 digs this afternoon, the most since Oct. 2, 2021 at Western Washington (97).
What's to Come
The Nanooks face Minot State tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. The game can be watched on the GNAC Network ($$). Minot State is 0-1 to open 2025. They fell to Cal State San Marcos (0-3) this morning.
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