FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks volleyball team fell to the Western Oregon Wolves in five sets on Thursday, Nov. 5. Alaska has one more home match on Saturday to celebrate Senior Day.
Alaska won the opening set 25-11 before dropping the second and third sets. They then won the fourth to force a fifth but ultimately fell 15-12. In the first, the Nanooks shot out of a cannon with 12 kills, three errors and a strong .391 swing percentage. They kept Western Oregon at bay with just seven kills, four errors, and a .158 swing percentage. After an early 7-3 advantage, the Nanooks lead extended to 13-5. Eventually, it reached 20-8 and then the Nanooks won the opener 25-11. Both the second and third sets were 25-20 losses for the Nanooks as WOU took a 2-1 advantage.
In the fourth set, the Nanooks rallied back to force a fifth with a 25-21 win. They hit .217 and forced WOU into a .158 swing percentage alongside 10 kills to the Nanooks 15. Western Oregon ran ahead 4-0 to open the fourth but despite the early deficit, the Nanooks stayed within striking distance. They pulled to within one on multiple occasions before tying the set at 17-17 and taking a 19-17 lead behind kills from
Haylee Lyons and
Kelli Wright, a
Kellan Flynn ace, and a bad set from WOU. Alaska's lead reached four before they put the set away at 25-21 on a kill from
Cori Leavitt. The deciding fifth set started out all Wolves. WOU opened up with an 8-2 lead, running five straight points of after taking a 3-2 advantage. The Nanooks did not go away quietly, however, as they battled back to make it 11-7. After the Wolves reached match point, the 'Nooks still battled, winning four straight points to pull within 14-12, but a service error ended the run and gave WOU the 3-2 victory.
Inside the Numbers
- Haylee Lyons led the Nanooks with 18 kills. She finished with a double-double, adding 11 digs, four blocks and an ace. She swung .204 with 49 total attacks.
- Cori Leavitt was steady on offense as well, finishing with 13 kills with a .219 swing percentage. She finished with a pair of digs and blocks.
- Cynphany Henderson had another strong night for the Nanooks. She had a double-double on 25 assists, 15 digs, and added six kills, three blocks, and an ace.
- Genevieve Willis had a career game, joining Henderson in the distribution. She posted 24 assists and four digs.
- Tessa Onaga finished with 13 digs tonight. She added four aces and three assists. Kellan Flynn matched Lyons' dig total of 11 and led the 'Nooks with five aces.
- Peri Hoshock led the Nanooks with six blocks. The senior added seven kills and three digs. Presley Engelauf added three more blocks and seven kills for the 'Nooks.
What's Next
The Nanooks face Saint Martin's on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. in the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium. They will celebrate Senior Day with celebrations for
Presley Engelauf,
Cynphany Henderson,
Peri Hoshock,
Tessa Onaga, and
McKenna Smith.
Follow the 'Nooks
IG - @NanooksVB
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FB - Alaska Nanooks Volleyball
