Volleyball returns home for pair of GNAC matches
October 2, 2012
Jamie Foland
474-6807
The Alaska volleyball team returns home for the first time in nearly three weeks as it plays host to Great Northwest Athletic Conference foes Western Washington and Simon Fraser at the Patty Center.
The Nanooks (2-9, 0-5 GNAC) take on the 16th-ranked Vikings (12-2, 5-1 GNAC) on Thursday night at 7 p.m. before closing out the week against the Clan (2-10, 0-6 GNAC) Saturday at 7 p.m. Live stats and live video will be available for both matches.
Last week, Alaska dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker on the road at rival Alaska Anchorage. After the Nanooks went up two sets to none, the Seawolves mounted a comeback and were able to squeak out a 3-2 victory.
Freshmen Sam Harthun and Katlyn Mataya and senior Allison Oddy all had career nights against UAA. Harthun registered a career-high 24 kills, which tied the match high and also contributed 11 digs, three block assists and a service ace. Mataya reached 40 assists for the sixth match this year as she dished out 46 dimes, two above her previous high. Oddy turned in a career-best 37 digs, which ranked second all-time on the program's single-match list.
In the GNAC rankings, Mataya ranks fifth in assists per set (9.60), Oddy is seventh in digs per set (4.29) and Harthun places ninth in kills per set (3.12). Other notable conference ranks include Ixchelle Oleson, who is 10th in aces per set (0.31) and Keri Knight, who ranks 15th in hitting percentage (.221). Nationally, Mataya ranks 61st in assists, Oddy is 106th in digs and Harthun is 138th in kills.
Match #12: #16 Western Washington vs. Alaska – Thursday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. (AKDT)
Important Links: LIVE STATS LIVE VIDEO
The Vikings notches a pair of 3-0 victories at home last week, downing Saint Martin's and Western Oregon. Kayla Erickson was named Red Lion Offensive Player of the Week by the GNAC after producing 24 kills and leading the team with a .388 hitting percentage and five total blocks. Marlayna Geary, who leads the conference in kills, turned in a team-best 29 kills to go with her .269 hitting percentage. Laurie Yearout also helped produce scoring chances with 70 assists in the two wins.
Yearout is fourth in the country in assists (12.46 aps), while Samantha Hutchinson is sixth in digs (5.98 dps). Geary is seventh in both kills (4.46 kps) and points (5.08 pps) while Erickson places 17th in hitting percentage (.387). As a team, Western is fifth in hitting (.281), sixth in assists (13.78) and ninth in kills (14.3).
Match #13: Simon Fraser vs. Alaska – Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. (AKDT)
Important Links: LIVE STATS LIVE VIDEO
The Clan dropped both home matches last week, falling 3-1 to Western Oregon before giving away a two-set advantage and losing 3-2 to Saint Martin's. Jessica Young and Katie Forysth led the team with 23 and 21 kills, respectively, as well as a combined 42 digs. Other key contributors included Amanda Renkema (12 kills, 9 block assists) and Victoria Senges (54 assists, 7 blocks assists).
Senges ranks eighth in the GNAC in assists (6.96 aps) and Renkema is seventh in blocks (0.91 bps) while Alanna Chan is 10th in digs (3.55 dps).