Volleyball travels to MSUB and SPU this week

October 11, 2012

University Relations

Jamie Foland
474-6807

The Alaska volleyball team heads out on the road this week for a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchups as it takes on Montana State University Billings and Seattle Pacific University.

The Nanooks (3-10, 1-6 GNAC) first hit the court with the Yellowjackets (7-8, 4-3 GNAC) on Thursday at 5 p.m. (AKDT) before rounding out the week against the Falcons (7-9, 4-3 GNAC) on Saturday at 2 p.m. (AKDT). Live stats and live video are available for both matches.

Last week, Alaska went 1-1 at home after dropping a straight-set decision to then No. 16 Western Washington before notching its first GNAC win of the season, a 3-1 victory against Simon Fraser.

Freshman middle blocker Megan Morrison was named GNAC Red Lion Offensive Player of the Week after registering team-highs of 20 kills and nine total blocks to go with her .269 hitting percentage. In Saturday's win over SFU, the Florida native produced career-highs of 15 kills, seven blocks (one solo), 34 attempts and a .353 hitting clip.

Other key contributors for the Nanooks included senior outside hitter Reilly Stevens, sophomore middle blocker Britt Glaeser and freshman setter Katlyn Mataya. Stevens tallied 19 kills and 28 digs while serving up two aces and Glaeser had 13 kills, hit .357 and made seven total blocks (three solo) while Mataya contributed 71 assists (49 vs. SFU) 20 digs and two aces.

In the GNAC rankings, a three Nanooks are in the top 10. Mataya is fifth in assists (9.71 aps), senior libero Allison Oddy is eighth in digs (4.12 dps) and freshman outside hitterSam Harthun is 10th in kills (2.96 kps). In the latest NCAA Division II national rankings, Mataya places 59th in the assists department while Oddy is 117th in digs.

Match #14: Alaska at Montana State-Billings – Thursday, Oct. 11 at 5 p.m. (AKDT)
Important Links: LIVE STATS   LIVE VIDEO
The Yellowjackets went 1-1 on the road last week, downing Saint Martin's 3-1 before falling by the same score at Western Oregon. MSUB was led offensively by Monica Grimsrud,Chelsey Walter and Jody Lutz. Grimsrud tallied a team-best 28 kills and four block assists while hitting .218. Walter and Lutz combined for 37 kills with 19 and 18, respectively, while Lutz had four total blocks (one solo). Kyndal Williams contributed 85 assists and 23 digs and Erin Compton had 51 digs.

Four players rank in the top 150 in the nation's rankings across five different categories. Compton is eighth in digs (5.8 dps), Williams is 43rd in assists (10.0 aps), Grimsrud is 83rd in kills (3.38 kps) and 114th in points (3.67 pps) and Lutz is 126th in hitting percentage (.306).

Match #15: Alaska at Seattle Pacific – Saturday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. (AKDT)
Important Links: LIVE STATS   LIVE VIDEO
The Falcons picked up a pair of straight-set road victories last week, downing both Western Oregon and Saint Martin's. Cailin Fellows led the attack with 30 kills, a .301 hitting percentage and three aces, while Madi Cavell totaled 21 kills, Jessica Miller had 15 kills with a team-best .324 hitting percentage and Shelby Swanson added 67 assists, 22 digs and two aces. Swanson was also honored as GNAC Red Lion Defensive Player of the Week.

Nationally, Fellows ranks 22nd in kills (3.91 kps) and 35th in points (4.21 pps), Swanson is 28th in the country in assists (10.33 aps) and Leenders is 43rd in digs (4.85 dps).