Wednesday, October 17, 2018

NET GAINS IN THE BLOCKING DEPARTMENT: The GNAC continues to be one of the top conferences in Division II when it comes to making stops at the net.

The conference has five teams ranked in the NCAA Division II top-50 in blocking, four of those teams are in the top-20. Western Washington leads the way, entering week ranked fourth in Division II with 2.80 blocks per set. Central Washington is close behind in ninth with 2.49 blocks per set.

The Vikings and Wildcats are followed by Alaska Anchorage in 13th (2.42 per set), Seattle Pacific in 15th (2.35 per set) and Concordia in 43rd (2.14 per set).

Four individual GNAC players are rank among the top-50 in the national rankings. Vikings’ junior middle blocker Kayleigh Harper is fourth in Division II with 1.43 blocks per set while Seattle Pacific senior middle blocker Shaun Crespi is 17th with 1.26 blocks per set. Alaska Anchorage sophomore middle blocker Vera Pluharova ranks 24th with 1.19 blocks per set while Vikings’ senior middle blocker Michaela Hall is 27th with 1.17 blocks per set. Central Washington sophomore Julia Mellander is averaging 1.31 blocks per set, but has not the minimum of 66.7 percent of team sets played to qualify for the national rankings.

HOT TEAMS KEEP GETTING HOTTER: The GNAC’s two hottest teams do not show signs of slowing down and will face off against each other on Saturday. Western Washington has an unblemished 12-0 conference record and has won 17 straight matches. The last time the Vikings lost was in four sets to Regis at the West Florida Invitational on Aug. 25. Upstart Alaska, meanwhile, has won six straight matches and finds itself tied with Simon Fraser for fifth in the GNAC standings at 7-5. The Nanooks will host the Clan on Thursday and the Vikings on Saturday.

THIS WEEK'S GNAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE
Brette Boesel, Western Washington
S • 5-9 • Senior • Brewster, Wash.

Boesel finished with 83 assists in six sets, averaging 13.83 assists per set, as the Vikings won their 16th and 17th straight matches. She finished with 44 assists, two aces, a kill and a block in the three-set sweep of Central Washington on Thursday. Boesel then had 39 assists, four digs, a kill, an ace and a block in Saturday’s three-set sweep of Northwest Nazarene.

Also Nominated: Markie Miller (Alaska), Tara Melton (Alaska Anchorage), Gabrielle Aihara (Central Washington), Jessica Wheeler (Concordia), Megan Vernoy (Saint Martin’s), Tessa May (Simon Fraser).

DEFENSIVE
Katerina Dolgiuikh, Simon Fraser
DS/L • 5-9 • Senior • Ottawa, Ont.

Dolguikh finished with 42 digs in six sets, averaging seven digs per set at the Clan completed a pair of three-set sweeps. She finished with 19 digs to go along with an ace in Thursday’s sweep of Northwest Nazarene. Dolguikh then finished with 23 digs, an assist and two aces in Saturday’s sweep of Central Washington.

Also Nominated: Taylor Noga (Alaska Anchorage), Kyla Morgan (Central Washington), Elyssa Rose (Concordia), Courtney Misner (Saint Martin’s), Abby Phelps (Western Washington).

AROUND THE GNAC
ALASKA
• Alaska ran its winning streak to six matches with a three-set sweep of Alaska Anchorage on Tuesday and a five-set victory over Montana State Billings on Thursday.

• The victory over the down-state rival Seawolves was the first for UAF since Sept. 18, 2010.

• Sophomore outside hitter Markie Miller led the Nanooks’ offense with 33 kills and a .324 hitting percentage in the two matches. She came off the bench to lead all players with 15 kills, two aces and a .464 hitting percentage against Alaska Anchorage and then led the way with 18 kills against Montana State Billings. Miller enters the week averaging 2.16 kills per set.

• Junior outside hitter Lahra Weber finished with 25 kills in the two matches, led by her 17 kills and two assists against Montana State Billings. Junior right side Mica Shenglan had 17 kills and a .350 hitting percentage, which included a double-double of 10 kills and 13 digs against Montana State Billings. Weber enters the week ranked fourth in the GNAC with 3.43 kills per set.

• Last week’s AVCA Division II Player of the Week, sophomore setter Cate Whiting, finished with 90 assists over the week. She finished with 34 assists, four kills and three digs against Alaska Anchorage and added totals of 56 assists and nine digs against Montana State Billings. Whiting enters the week ranked fifth in the GNAC with 9.67 assists per set.

• Alaska enters the week ranked fifth in the GNAC with a .176 hitting percentage and tied for fifth with 1.57 aces per set. The Nanooks are averaging 11.96 kills and 15.84 digs per set.

• The Nanooks finish a four-match homestand this week, hosting Simon Fraser on Thursday and Western Washington on Saturday.

ALASKA ANCHORAGE
• After being shocked in a three-set loss to Alaska on Tuesday, Alaska Anchorage rebounded to score a three-set sweep of Montana State Billings on Saturday.

• Freshman middle blocker Eve Stephens was once again the offensive leader for the Seawolves, finishing with 23 kills and a .386 hitting percentage in the two matches. She led UAA with eight kills and two solo blocks at Alaska and then led all players with 15 kills against Montana State Billings. Stephens is now seventh in the GNAC with 3.21 kills per set and is sixth with her .331 hitting percentage.

• Senior outside hitter Chrisalyn Johnson became the ninth UAA player to surpass the 1,000-kill milestone, passing the mark with her eight kills and 13 digs against Montana State Billings on Saturday. Johnson enters the week averaging 2.82 kills per set.

• Senior middle blocker Tara Melton had 18 kills and a .485 hitting percentage last week. She finished with six kills and hit .312 at Alaska and then posted 12 kills and a .647 hitting percentage against Montana State Billings. Melton is third in the GNAC and 35th in Division II with a .363 hitting percentage and is eighth in the GNAC with 1.04 blocks per set.

• One of four teams in the NCAA Division II top-20 in blocks, Alaska Anchorage is ranked 13th with 2.42 blocks per set. Sophomore middle blocker Vera Pluharova is fourth in the GNAC and 24th in Division II with 1.19 blocks per set.

• Alaska Anchorage enters the week fourth in the GNAC with a .218 hitting percentage, 13.03 kills and 12.27 assists per set. The Seawolves are second in the league with 1.62 aces per set and are 36th in Division II with an .800 win percentage.

• Alaska Anchorage is home for both matches this weekend, hosting Alaska Anchorage on Thursday and Simon Fraser on Saturday.

CONCORDIA
• Concordia split its matches for the second consecutive week, falling at Seattle Pacific in four sets on Thursday before beating Saint Martin’s in four sets on Saturday.

• Junior outside hitter Jessica Wheeler led the way with 29 kills and 17 digs in the two matches. She posted a double-double of 16 kills and nine digs against Seattle Pacific and then added 13 kills and eight digs against Saint Martin’s. Wheeler leads the Cavaliers in kills, averaging 2.29 per set.

• The Cavaliers finished with 16 aces in the two matches. Eight of those aces came against Seattle Pacific, including three by junior setter Precious Helekali. Senior defensive specialist Faith Bowman and freshman setter Emily Zink each had five aces in the two matches.

• Sophomore middle blocker Elyssa Rose finished with 10 blocks in the two matches to go along with 21 kills. Her week was topped by a performance of 12 kills, five blocks and a .409 hitting percentage against Saint Martin’s. Rose is ninth in the GNAC with 1.04 blocks per set.

• Freshman libero Callie Wilkins had 38 digs in the two matches, which was led by her 27 against Seattle Pacific. Wilkins is second in the GNAC and 27th in Division II with 5.60 digs per set.

• Concordia enters the week averaging 11.58 kills and 17.11 digs per set. In the Division II national stats, the Cavaliers are 30th with 38.88 team attacks per set and 43rd with 2.14 blocks per set.

• Concordia heads east for two matches this week, playing at Central Washington on Thursday and at Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
• Montana State Billings left Alaska with a pair losses, falling to Alaska in five sets on Thursday and suffering as three-set sweep by Alaska Anchorage on Saturday.

• Freshman outside hitter Skylar Reed led the Yellowjackets with 22 kills and a .353 hitting percentage in the two matches. She led MSUB with 17 kills and hit .400 in the loss at Alaska and then had five kills at Alaska Anchorage. Reed enters the week averaging 1.89 kills per set.

• Freshman middle blocker Eavan Taylor had 26 kills and five blocks in the two matches. Her best effort came at Alaska where Taylor had five kills and four solo blocks. Taylor enters the week averaging 1.39 kills and 0.95 blocks per set.

• Sophomore defensive specialist Izela Alvarez came up with 34 digs and four aces in the two matches. She finished with 24 digs, three assists and two aces at Alaska before adding 10 digs, two aces and two assists at Alaska Anchorage. Alvarez enters the week ninth in the GNAC with 4.46 digs per set and sixth with 0.35 aces per set.

• Montana State Billings enters the week averaging 11.18 kills and 15.39 digs per set with a .165 hitting percentage. The Yellowjackets are fourth in the GNAC with 1.57 aces per set.

• The Yellowjackets open a five-match homestand this week, hosting Saint Martin’s on Thursday and Seattle Pacific on Saturday.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE
• Northwest Nazarene found itself challenged on a two-match trip last week, falling in three sets to both Simon Fraser on Thursday and Western Washington on Saturday.

• Senior outside hitter Cami Heninger led the Nighthawks with 15 kills and 23 digs in the two matches. She finished with four kills and 13 digs at Simon Fraser and then had a double-double of 11 kills and 10 digs at Western Washington. Heninger is averaging 2.41 kills and 3.61 digs per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter Abbey Blum added 14 kills in the two matches, led by her seven kills and four digs at Simon Fraser. Blum enters the week leading the Nighthawks with 3.03 kills per set.

• Senior libero Shayli Siegfreid added 28 digs to her total last week. She posted 16 digs at Simon Fraser before finishing with 12 digs and three assists at Western Washington. Siegfreid enters the week ranked third in the GNAC and 43rd in Division II with 5.30 digs per set.

• Northwest Nazarene enters the week averaging 11.59 kills per set and ranks fourth in the league with 17.82 digs per set to go along with a .159 hitting percentage.

• The Nighthawks is home for their next two matches, hosting Western Oregon on Thursday and Concordia on Saturday.

SAINT MARTIN’S
• Saint Martin’s snapped it’s 11-match losing streak last Thursday with a five-set win at Western Oregon. The Saints then took a four-set loss at Concordia on Saturday and a three-set loss to Seattle Pacific on Tuesday.

• Senior outside hitter Megan Vernoy led the Saints as she finished with 34 kills in the two weekend matches. She shared the team lead with 18 kills and a .310 hitting percentage at Western Oregon and finished with 16 kills at Concordia. Vernoy then led the Saints with 11 kills against Seattle Pacific. Vernoy is ranked 10th in the GNAC with 3.13 kills per set.

• Junior outside hitter Ililani Kamaka added 26 kills and 15 digs in the two weekend matches. She matched Vernoy with 18 kills and added nine digs at Western Oregon. Kamaka finished with eight kills at Concordia and then had six kills and eight digs against Seattle Pacific. Kamaka enters the week averaging 2.47 kills and 2.31 digs per set.

• Senior outside hitter Rachel Gondrezick had 23 kills, 21 digs and six aces in the weekend matches, topped by her 11 kills, 11 digs and two aces at Western Oregon. She then added nine kills and four digs against Seattle Pacific. Gondrezick is averaging 2.65 kills and 2.65 digs per set.

• Saint Martin’s enters the week averaging 11.14 kills and 14.99 digs per set with a .159 hitting percentage.

• Saint Martin’s closes the week on the road, playing at Montana State Billings on Thursday.

SEATTLE PACIFIC
• Seattle Pacific has now won three straight matches, scoring a four-set win over Concordia on Thursday before recording three-set victories at Western Oregon on Saturday and at Saint Martin’s on Tuesday.

• Junior outside hitter Gabby Oddo once again paced the Falcons’ offense, finishing with 28 kills and 27 digs in the weekend matches. She had a double-double of 15 kills and 16 digs along with three blocks at Concordia and then finished with 13 kills, 11 digs and three blocks at Western Oregon. At Saint Martin’s, Oddo collected 10 kills and 12 digs. She leads the Falcons and is fifth in the GNAC with 3.29 kills per set.

• Senior opposite Hailey Gaines finished with 25 kills and seven blocks in the weekend matches. She led all players with 17 kills, two aces, five digs and four blocks at Concordia before finishing with eight kills, five aces, six digs and three blocks at Western Oregon. At Saint Martin’s, Gaines had a quiet night with four kills and three blocks. Gaines enters the week averaging 2.55 kills and 0.89 blocks per set.

• Senior middle blocker Shaun Crespi led all GNAC players last week with 13 blocks to go along with 15 kills. Her best weekend performance came at Concordia, finishing with nine kills and nine blocks. Crespi enters the week ranked third in the GNAC and 17th in Division II with 1.25 blocks per set. As a team, SPU is fourth in the GNAC and 15th in Division II with 2.33 blocks per set.

• Seattle Pacific enters the week averaging 12.11 kills and 16.51 digs per set. The Falcons are fifth in the GNAC with a .182 opponent hitting percentage.

• The Falcons close the week out on Saturday, playing at Montana State Billings.

SIMON FRASER
• Simon Fraser has won four out its last five matches after sweeping Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and Central Washington on Saturday, both in three sets.

• Junior defensive specialist Katerina Dolguikh was named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week after she finished with 42 digs in six sets, averaging seven digs per set. She finished with 19 digs to go along with an ace against Northwest Nazarene and then finished with 23 digs, an assist and two aces against Central Washington. Dolgiukh enters the week averaging 3.53 digs per set.

• Junior outside hitter Betsie de Beer led the Clan offensively with 28 kills and five blocks in the two matches. She led the clan with 15 kills against Northwest Nazarene and then added nine digs against Central Washington. de Beer is averaging 2.95 kills per set.

• Senior middle blocker Tessa May added 20 kills and eight blocks in the two matches while hitting .391. She opened the week with 10 kills, four digs and four blocks against Northwest Nazarene and closed with 10 kills, two digs and three blocks against Central Washington. May is fourth in the GNAC with a .340 hitting percentage and ninth with 3.14 kills per set.

• Simon Fraser enters the week second in the GNAC and 18th in Division II with 13.33 assists per set. Sophomore setter Julia Tays is third in the GNAC and 29th in Division II with 10.80 assists per set.

• The Clan is third in the GNAC and 27th in Division II with 13.92 kills per set and second in the GNAC and 14th nationally with 19.44 digs per set. Additionally, SFU is third in the GNAC and 49th in Division II with a .228 hitting percentage

• Simon Fraser heads north to Alaska this week, taking on the Nanooks on Thursday and the Seawolves on Saturday.

WESTERN OREGON
• Western Oregon’s losing streak is now at eight matches after taking a five-set home loss to Saint Martin’s on Thursday and a three-set loss to Seattle Pacific at home on Saturday.

• Junior outside hitter Jenna Compton led the Wolves offensively with 17 kills and eight blocks in the two matches. She led the team with 18 kills, three digs and seven blocks against Saint Martin’s and then finished with five kills against Seattle Pacific. Compton enters the week averaging 1.61 kills and 0.49 blocks per set.

• Junior outside hitter Morgan Haskett added 15 kills and 10 blocks in the two matches. She finished with totals of seven kills and three blocks against Saint Martin’s before leading the Wolves with eight kills and seven blocks against Seattle Pacific. Haskett is averaging 1.23 kills per set and leads WOU and is 10th in the GNAC with 1.00 blocks per set.

• Sophomore middle blocker Sophie Hall had 11 blocks in the weekend matches, led by her seven blocks against Saint Martin’s. Hall is averaging 0.93 blocks per set.

• Western Oregon enters the week averaging 11.09 kills and 15.35 digs per set with a .152 hitting percentage.

• Western Oregon hits the road for two matches this week, playing at Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and at Central Washington on Saturday.

WESTERN WASHINGTON
• It’s now a 17-match win streak for Western Washington after the Vikings scored a pair of three-set sweeps at home over Central Washington on Thursday and Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.

• The Vikings moved up to No. 4 in this week’s AVCA Division II Coaches Top-25, the program’s highest ranking of the season, and received one first-place vote. It is the 89th consecutive poll that the Vikings have been ranked in dating back to the first regular-season poll of the 2012 season.

• Senior setter Brette Boesel was named the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week after she finished with 83 assists in six sets, averaging 13.83 assists per set. Boesel finished with 44 assists, two aces, a kill and a block in the sweep of Central Washington on Thursday and then had 39 assists, four digs, a kill, an ace and a block against Northwest Nazarene. Boesel enters the week second in the GNAC and ninth in Division II with 11.90 assists per set.

• Junior middle blocker Kayleigh Harper had another outstanding offensive week, finishing with 26 kills, five blocks and a .542 hitting percentage in the two matches. She opened with 11 kills, a block and a .478 hitting percentage against Central Washington and then added 15 kills and five blocks against Northwest Nazarene. Harper leads the GNAC and is 15th in Division II with her .395 hitting percentage. She also leads the GNAC and is fifth in Division II with 1.43 blocks per set.

• Senior outside hitter Abby Phelps and freshman outside hitter Gabby Gunterman each finished with 24 kills with Gunterman compiling a .419 hitting percentage. Phelps’ week was topped by her 16 kills and 17 digs against Central Washington. Gunterman came off the bench for 14 kills against CWU and had another 10 against Northwest Nazarene. Phelps enters the week leading the GNAC and 21st in Division II with 4.06 kills per set.

• Western Washington leads the GNAC and is 14th in Division II with a .259 hitting percentage. The Vikings also lead the league and rank fourth in Division II with 2.80 blocks per set and is 19th nationally with an .850 win percentage. In addition, WWU ranks 14th in Division II with 196 total blocks.

• Western Washington heads north for two matches this week, playing at Alaska Anchorage on Thursday and at Alaska on Saturday.