Volleyball announces 2013 schedule
June 7, 2013
Chris Brooks
907-474-6805
2013 Schedule
Head coach Mallory Larranaga released the 2013 Alaska Nanooks volleyball schedule, which is made up of trips to Hawaii and California, the annual Nanook Classic and the 18-match Great Northwest Athletic Conference slate.
“After a busy preseason, our goal is to start the conference play out with some consistency in personnel,” Larranaga said. “I'm thankful for a deep roster next season and will count on internal competition to bring out the best in our squad early.”
Fans will get their first chance to see this year's squad with an exhibition match against a co-ed team made up former players and male volleyball athletes on Aug. 24, which will coincide with the team's kickoff event, Spike Fest.
Alaska opens up the regular season Aug. 29-31 when they head to the Hawaiian Islands for a four-pack of matches. Alaska first takes on Hawaii-Hilo, followed by Brigham Young-Hawaii the following day. The final day of competition will include a double-header at Chaminade and Hawaii Pacific.
The Nanooks return home Sept. 6 and 7 to host the 15th annual Nanook Classic, as they will be joined in the four-team, six-match event by Colorado Christian, Fresno Pacific and Humboldt State. At the 2012 tournament, Alaska went 2-1, its best record since the 2009 Classic.
“We are fortunate to have the field that we do for this year's Nanook Classic,” Larranaga said. “The level of competition is going to be intense and each match has value as regional play. It's a great way to open up our home weekend for all our fans.”
The non-conference portion of the schedule rounds out Sept. 13 and 14 when the 'Nooks travel to California for the Route 92 Showdown, hosted by Cal State East Bay and Notre Dame de Namur. Though the schedule is not yet available, Alaska will hit the court four times over two days, facing two opponents each from the California Collegiate Athletic Association and the Pacific West Conference.
“Our preseason travel is going to be very valuable as we have eight preseason road matches against our CCAA and PacWest opponents,” Larranaga said. “Playing in Hawaii lends great opportunity for us as we get to see four very different regional teams to start out our preseason competition. The Route 92 Showdown is only in its second year and we are looking forward to a new preseason look as we get ready for the always tough GNAC contests.”
GNAC play commences Sept. 19 when the Nanooks host Montana State Billings at the Patty Center. They follow that up with a Sept. 21 meeting against Seattle Pacific. Following a road trip to Northwest Nazarene (Sept. 26) and Central Washington (Sept. 28), Alaska opens up a three-match home stand against Saint Martin's on Oct. 3. Two days later, the Nanooks welcome in Western Oregon.
The first of two meetings against in-state rival Alaska Anchorage is set for Oct. 12 in Fairbanks as Alaska will look to avenge a pair of five-set losses from a year ago. The first half of the conference season ends on the road with a pair of matches at Western Washington (Oct. 17) and Simon Fraser (Oct. 19).
After opening the second half at home with Central (Oct. 24) and NNU (Oct. 26), the Nanooks will have an uphill battle down the stretch, playing five of the final seven matches away from the Patty Center. Alaska hits the road for a Halloween night matchup at WOU, followed by a Nov. 2 date in Lacey at SMU. The second and final meeting with rival Anchorage is set for Nov. 9 at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.
The final home weekend, the 'Nooks face Simon Fraser on Nov. 14 and close the home slate Nov. 16 against WWU when the lone senior, Keri Knight (Arvada, Colo./Business Administration) will be honored prior to first serve.
The regular season wraps Nov. 21 and 23 when Alaska heads out to SPU and MSUB. Should the Nanooks advance to post-season play, the NCAA West Regional will take place Dec. 5-7 at the region's top seeded institution. The NCAA Championship is set for Dec. 12-14 at U.S. Cellular Arena in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.