Volleyball downs alumni in straight sets, 3-0
August 27, 2012
Jamie Foland
474-6807
The Alaska women's volleyball team got its first taste of battling another team across the net as it downed the Alumni 3-0 on Saturday night at the Patty Center.
The Nanooks took the match by scores of 25-17, 25-20 and 25-17 in their final tune-up prior to next weekend's season-opening home tournament, the Flint Hills Resources Nanook Classic (Aug. 31 - Sept. 1).
Alaska was led by freshman outside hitter Sam Harthun and junior outside hitter Keri Knight, who each registered a match-high eight kills. Harthun also contributed 11 digs, five service aces and three blocks, while freshman Katlyn Mataya turned in a match-best 25 assists and sophomore middle blocker Morgan Tebbs tied for a match-high five blocks. Three players each had double-digit digs on the evening.
As a team, the 'Nooks hit .133 (37-22-113), which including a stellar .263 (13-3-38) in the opening frame, while holding the Alumni to a -.012 (17-18-85) hitting percentage. They tallied 11 aces to the Alumni's three and held the advantage on the block, 9-6.
Leading the way for the Alumni was Jessica Hill, Korlyn Bolster and Tina Ferringer, who each had four kills apiece. Alumnae and current volunteer assistant coach and sports information director Jamie Foland had a solid night with a team-best 12 assists and a match-high 14 digs, while Bolster tied Tebbs with five blocks.
The Nanooks open the regular season next Friday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m., when it hosts Findlay at the Nanook Classic.
First Set: Alaska 25, Alumni 17
The Nanooks got off to a hot start, taking an early 5-1 lead . The Alumni answered back with a 4-0 run to knot it up at 5-5. The teams traded points and the 'Nooks were able to get a slim advantage, but with Alaska leading 15-12, it used four kills and a service ace to spark a 6-2 run and build its largest lead at 21-14. The Alumni never got closer than five as the Nanooks took set one by the count of 25-17.
Second Set: Alaska 25, Alumni 20
Once again in the second, the Nanooks started hot with a 5-1 surge to open the set. The Alumni didn't let it get out of hand, using four straight Alaska errors to tie it at 5-5. The 'Nooks used a 7-2 run to open up a 12-7 advantage, but the Alumni hung around, getting the deficit back to just two at 14-12. With the Alumni down 20-16, it scored three straight on an ace and two Alaska errors to get to within a point. The Nanooks shut the door, however, recording five of the next six points, three coming on Alumni errors, to take the set 25-20.
Third Set: Alaska 25, Alumni 17
The third remained close early on as the Alumni took a couple early leads. With the Nanooks of the past leading 7-6, the current spikers surged into the lead with seven in a row, with three terminations and three aces. The lead stretched to double digits as the 'Nooks would lead by as many as 12 at 23-11. The Alumni never climbed closer than seven as Alaska took the third and final set 25-17.