Sept. 2, 2006

Box Score

FAIRBANKS, AK - The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team couldn't get past the No. 8 Nebraska-Kearney Lopers Friday night as they were swept 30-22, 30-26, 30-26 in their first of three matches in the Auto Service Company Nanook Classic.

After dropping the first two games, Alaska rebounded to take an early lead over UNK. The Lopers battled back to tie the score at 18 and the Nanooks were unable to counter their run.

Freshman middle hitter Megan Thigpen (Spokane, WA) recorded her third-career double-double as she led the match with 12 kills and defensively led the Nanooks with 10 digs and three blocks. She also had a match high three service aces. Junior outside hitter Jessica King (Hailey, ID) was also in double-figure kills with 11 kills and freshman setter Alexa Sherman (Calabasas, CA) notched 23 assists and seven digs.

For the Lopers outside hitter Kelli Bunger had nine kills, setter Mikala Gleason dished 37 assists, and libero Kelli Wemhoff got a match-high 18 digs.

The Nanooks fall to 0-4 overall and will look to earn its first victory early Saturday, when they open the second session of the tournament against the Alderson-Broaddus College Battlers at 11 a.m. AST.

In the first match of the tournament Chaminade swept Alderson-Broaddus 30-13, 30-19, 30-7. The Silverswords were led offensively by Trina Kauliakamoa and Evelyn Bluthenthal, who had 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Megan Henry got a match-high 15 digs for the Battlers.

Following Alaska's match at 11 a.m. AST, Chaminade will meet UNK at 1 p.m. AST.