Monday, August 28, 2023
by Evan O'Kelly

PORTLAND, Ore. – The first two conference schools to compete in the 2023-24 academic year, Alaska Anchorage and Alaska claimed the initial four Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards after early season action.

The 2023 volleyball regular season got underway at the Hawaii-Alaska Challenge in Fairbanks, as the Nanooks debuted their newly-finished floor inside the Patty Center. In Anchorage, the 2023 cross country season commenced with the Seawolves and Nanooks competing in a head-to-head 5k meet in challenging conditions on both the women’s and men’s sides.

GNAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK SELECTIONS – WEEK 1

VOLLEYBALL OFFENSIVE

Nicole Blue, Alaska Anchorage

Blue led the Seawolves to their first victory of the 2023 campaign, putting up a big weekend both offensively and defensively. Blue was the conference’s top performer in kills per set (3.50), service aces (9), points per set (4.22) and digs per set (3.75). The preseason all-conference selection posted a hitting percentage of .255 through her first four matches of the year, with her 65 total kills leading all GNAC players at the Hawaii-Alaska Challenge.

Also nominated: Ainsley Smith (Alaska).

VOLLEYBALL DEFENSIVE

Elizabeth Jackson, Alaska

Jackson helped the Nanooks claim their first victory of the 2023 season in a five-set thriller over Hawaii Hilo. The junior middle blocker racked up seven block assists and one solo block in that match and proved to be a dominant net presence over the weekend. Jackson’s 14.0 total blocks and average of 1.08 blocks per set were the best figures among all GNAC players, and she chipped in 10 kills on the offensive side in her team’s four matches.

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Rosie Fordham, Alaska

Getting her third season with the Nanooks off on the right foot, Fordham won the Seawolf Throwdown in Anchorage on Saturday afternoon. The Sydney, Australia native clocked a 5k time of 18:10.5, leading the Nanooks to the head-to-head win over the Seawolves as Alaska swept the top three places on its way to 18 points.

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Coleman Nash, Alaska Anchorage

The reigning GNAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year, Nash cruised to victory in the men’s race on Saturday on his home course at Kincaid Park. Nash clocked a 5k time of 15:06.0 to help the Seawolves sweep the top-three places and win the dual meet over Alaska with 17 points.