Sept. 15, 2006

Box Score

FAIRBANKS, AK - The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team captured its first Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory Thursday night in a close five-game match against the Northwest Nazarene University Crusaders.

The Nanooks (2-8, 1-2 GNAC) rebounded after losing the first and third sets to prevail over the Crusaders (5-6, 1-2 GNAC) 27-30, 30-24, 28-30, 31-29, 15-12.

Carrying the intensity over from the fourth set, in which the Nanooks managed to even the tally at two games a piece, the teams traded several rallies early in game five. Alaska used a string of blocks at the net to build an 11-5 lead, but the Crusaders took advantage of unforced errors by the Nanooks to draw within two points. However, kills by freshman middle hitter Megan Thigpen (Spokane, WA) and freshman setter Alexa Sherman (Calabasas, CA) made it 14-12, and NNU's Lindsay Forseth hit the ball just out of bounds to seal Alaska's hard earned victory.

Sherman (Calabasas, CA) was named the Toyota Player of the game as she dished a match-high 55 assists, hit .471 while notching eight kills and no errors, and also added 13 digs, two blocks and a service ace. Thigpen earned her fourth double-double of the season with a match-high 19 kills and 21 digs.

Junior co-captains Jenna Jones (Fairbanks, AK) and Jessica King (Hailey, ID) provided stong all-around performances each recording double-doubles as well. Jones got 15 kills and a team-high 28 digs, while King added 12 kills and 24 digs.

Sophomore middle hitter Korlyn Bolster (Guerneville, CA) dominated at the net getting a match-high seven blocks along with seven kills. Senior middle hitter Katrina Jensen (Federal Way, WA) provided key play at the net as well hitting .326 off nine kills and no errors and stuffing four blocks.

For NNU Chelsea Lewis got a team-high 18 kills, while Forseth contributed 16 kills and 27 digs. Kristy Wigren led the match defensively with 30 digs.

The Nanooks hit the road for their next four GNAC matches. They face Western Oregona University next Thursday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m. AST to kick off their second road trip of the season.