VB wins regular season finale

Submitted by Dave Geringer
Phone: 6807
11/13/04

It was Comeback Night for the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ volleyball team in their final regular season match of the 2004 season.

The Nanooks rallied from a 2-1 deficit to win the final two games and defeat host Western Oregon, 23-30, 30-26, 22-30, 30-27 and 15-10 at the Physical Education Building Saturday evening.

Senior outside hitter Mallory Bergstrom (Bend, OR/Bend HS) led the Nanooks for the second consecutive match with 26 kills and 22 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Danielle Hitzeman (Vacaville, CA/Vacaville HS) added 16 kills and 24 digs.

Bergstrom had seven kills in the fourth games as the Nanooks hit .375 as a team and broke a 15-all tie, scoring eight of the next 10 points to take a lead that they would not relinquish. UAF broke a 7-all tie in the fifth game to clinch the victory.

"I’m relieved, we really had to fight hard, and it was great to see us come back and win,"? said UAF Head Coach Phil Shoemaker. "We did not play particularly well in the first three games, but we regrouped, made some adjustments and played with more consistency. We kept battling. And that was good. We had a pretty strong blocking night, and Danielle really came on in the last two games."?

The victory allowed Bergstrom and UAF’s other senior, middle blocker Carlin Smith (Brea, CA/Brea Olinda HS) to be victorious in their final regular season matches. "I was really happy for our seniors,"? said Shoemaker. "We really wanted to make it a good night for them, and they both played well."?

The victory allowed the Nanooks to finish the regular season with a 13-12 record, 10-8 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. WOU finished at 8-18 and 4-14.

-UAF VOLLEYBALL-