Wednesday, October 30, 2019

ONE STREAK ENDS, OTHERS RUN STRONG: While Western Washington saw its 17-match win streak stopped over a week ago at Alaska Anchorage, a couple of other win streaks in the GNAC held strong.

Simon Fraser finished up the weekend with a seven-match win streak after scoring a four-set win over Western Oregon on Thursday and a three-set sweep of Concordia on Saturday. In the seven matches, the Clan won two in five sets and two in three-set sweeps. During the streak, Simon Fraser hit 2.22 and was outhitting opponents by an average of four kills per set.

The Clan, however, saw that win streak come to an end on Tuesday at the hands of Western Washington. Simon Fraser took the second set, but no more as the team hit .169 in a four-set loss to the Vikings.

The other extended win streak in the GNAC belongs to Seattle Pacific. The Falcons have won four straight and five of their last seven matches after picking up a three-set sweep of Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and a five-set win over Central Washington on Saturday. The Falcons are hitting .197 in the win streak while winning two of those four matches in three sets.

THIS WEEK'S GNAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE
Bayli Monck, Montana State Billings
RS • 5-10 • Junior • Colorado Springs, Colo.

Monck finished with three double-doubles as she compiled 46 kills, 39 digs, five blocks and eight aces in three matches. She opened the week with 15 kills, 14 digs and five aces in Tuesday’s win over crosstown rival and NAIA nationally-ranked Rocky Mountain. Monck added 16 kills, 11 digs and two aces against Alaska Anchorage on Thursday and ended the week with 15 kills, 14 digs, three blocks and a .419 hitting percentage against Alaska on Saturday.

Also Nominated: Ellen Floyd (Alaska Anchorage), Gabrielle Aihara (Central Washington), Alyssa Bartlett (Saint Martin’s), Kristen Pinkney (Simon Fraser), Chloe Roetcisoender (Western Washington).

DEFENSIVE
Chloe Roetcisoender, Western Washington
MB • 6-0 • Sophomore • Duvall, Wash.

Roetcisoender finished with 15 blocks, averaging 2.50 blocks per set, while adding 17 kills in a pair of three-set sweeps. She finished with a double-double with 11 kills and 10 blocks to go with a .625 hitting percentage in a sweep of Concordia on Thursday before adding six kills and five blocks in Saturday’s win over Western Oregon.

Also Nominated: Talia Leauanae (Alaska Anchorage), Kyla Morgan (Central Washington), Bridgette Bourgouin (Saint Martin’s), Delaney Dunham (Seattle Pacific), Kalyn Hartmann (Simon Fraser).

AROUND THE GNAC
ALASKA
• After opening the week with a five-set loss at Alaska Anchorage on Tuesday, Alaska bounced back to take a five-set win at Montana State Billings on Saturday.

• The Nanooks have played in three straight five-set matches and four in their last five matches. Alaska has played in eight five-setters this season with a 4-4 record.

• Junior outside hitter AveRee Reynolds led Alaska offensively with her 20 kills in the two matches. She finished with eight kills at Alaska Anchorage before coming off the bench for 12 kills and two digs at Montana State Billings. Reynolds is averaging 2.41 kills per set.

• Junior outside hitter Lahra Weber posted totals of 19 kills, six aces, 16 digs and three blocks. She opened with seven kills, 10 digs, three blocks and an ace at Alaska Anchorage and then came up with 12 kills, five aces and six digs at Montana State Billings. Weber leads UAF with 2.67 kills per set. She also is second in the GNAC and 12th in Division II with 0.56 aces per set.

• Junior setter Cate Whiting had another strong all-around week, finishing with 78 assists, 21 digs, eight blocks and five aces. At Alaska Anchorage, Whiting was just short of a double-double with 37 assists, nine digs, four kills and four aces. She was just short of a triple-double at Montana State Billings with 41 assists, 12 digs, eight kills and four blocks. Whiting is sixth in the GNAC with 9.21 assists per set.

• Alaska enters the week averaging 11.81 kills and 15.01 digs per set. The Nanooks rank third in the GNAC and 36th in Division II with 2.20 blocks per set.

• The Nanooks are back on the road this week with matches at Central Washington on Thursday and at Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.

ALASKA ANCHORAGE
• Alaska Anchorage is on a three-match win streak after a five-set over Alaska last Tuesday and a four-set win at Montana State Billings on Thursday.

• Sophomore right-side hitter Eve Stephens paced the Seawolves with 33 kills, 23 digs and seven blocks in the two matches. She notched double-doubles in each match with 13 kills, 12 digs and four blocks against Alaska and 20 kills, 11 digs, three blocks and a .319 hitting percentage at MSUB. Stephens leads the GNAC and is 25th in Division II with 4.51 points per set. She also leads the league with 3.79 kills per set.

• Sophomore setter Ellen Floyd had 85 assists in the two matches to go with six aces, 30 digs and six blocks. Floyd opened with 46 assists, 14 digs and six blocks against Alaska before finishing with 39 assists, 16 digs and five aces at Montana State Billings. Floyd is second in the GNAC with 10.12 assists per set.

• Sophomore libero Talia Leauanae led the defense with 44 digs. She finished with 24 digs and four assists against Alaska and added 20 digs, three assists and two aces at Montana State Billings. Leauanae is ninth in the GNAC with 3.87 digs per set.

• Alaska Anchorage is second in the GNAC and 12th in Division II with 2.42 blocks per set. The Seawolves had 16.5 in two matches last week, led by eighth from junior middle blocker Kayla McGlathery.

• For the third week, Alaska Anchorage is among teams receiving votes in the ACA Division II Coaches Top-25 Poll, earning 26 points.

• Alaska Anchorage enters the week averaging 12.19 kills and 14.72 digs per set. The Seawolves lead the GNAC and rank fifth in Division II with 2.29 aces per set.

• Alaska Anchorage is on the road this week with matches at Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and Central Washington on Saturday.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON
• After opening the week with a three-set sweep of Saint Martin’s on Thursday, Central Washington saw a three-match win streak come to an end with a five-set loss at Seattle Pacific on Saturday.

• Junior outside hitter Makala Swart led the offense with 30 kills and 28 digs on the weekend road trip. Swart had double-doubles in both matches, finishing with 10 kills and 10 digs at Saint Martin’s and then led the Wildcats with 20 kills and 18 digs at Seattle Pacific. Swart is fourth in the GNAC with 3.41 kills per set and fifth with 3.85 points per set.

• The Wildcats were big at the net again with 18 total team blocks in the two matches. Junior middle blocker Julia Mellander had six blocks in both matches to go with 12 kills and a .346 hitting percentage. She is fourth in the GNAC and 26th in Division II with 1.20 blocks per set. Junior outside hitter Diana Fa’amausili had 10 blocks, six of which came at Saint Martin’s. She is 10th in the GNAC with 0.95 blocks per set.

• Senior libero Kyla Morgan added 44 digs to her totals. She had 19 at Saint Martin’s to go with five assists and two aces and then finished with 25 digs and nine assists at Seattle Pacific. Morgan leads the GNAC and is 18th in Division II with 5.67 digs per set.

• Central Washington is second in the GNAC with 13.13 kills per set. The Wildcats are third in the GNAC and 35th in Division II with 17.95 digs per set while ranking fourth in the GNAC and 37th in Division II with 2.20 blocks per set.

• The Wildcats host the Alaska schools this week, welcoming the Nanooks on Thursday and the Seawolves on Saturday.

CONCORDIA
• Concordia is in the midst of a four-match losing streak, opening the second half of the GNAC season with three-set losses at Western Washington on Thursday and Simon Fraser on Saturday.

• Senior outside hitter Jessica Wheeler led Concordia offensively once again with 13 kills, 26 digs and four blocks. Wheeler finished with seven kills and 11 digs at Western Washington before finishing with six kills, 15 digs and three blocks at Simon Fraser. Wheeler leads the Cavaliers with 2.24 kills and 3.10 digs per set.

• Sophomore middle blocker Katelyn Brandenburg added 12 kills and six blocks with a .345 hitting percentage in the two matches. She had six kills in each match and put together five blocks at Western Washington. Brandenburg is averaging 1.75 kills per set and ranks fourth in the GNAC with a .304 hitting percentage.

• Sophomore libero Callie Wilkins added another 37 digs to her total, which included 18 at Western Washington and 19 at Simon Fraser. Wilkins is second in the GNAC 20th in Division II with 5.66 digs per set.

• Concordia enters the week averaging 11.68 kills per set. The Cavaliers lead the GNAC and rank 16th in Division II with 18.62 digs per set while ranking fifth in the conference with 1.86 blocks per set.

• Concordia returns home this week after a four-match road trip, hosting Saint Martin’s on Thursday and Seattle Pacific on Saturday.

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
• Montana State Billings went 1-2 in three hard-fought matches last week. The Yellowjackets beat crosstown rival and NAIA nationally-ranked Rocky Mountain in four sets on Tuesday before taking a four-set loss to Alaska Anchorage on Thursday and a five-set loss to Alaska on Saturday.

• Junior right-side Bayli Monck was named the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week after she finished with 46 kills, 39 digs, eight aces and five blocks in the three matches. She posted totals of 15 kills, 14 digs and five aces against Rocky Mountain. Monck then finished with 16 kills and 11 digs against Alaska Anchorage before finishing with 15 kills, 14 digs and three blocks against Alaska. Monck is 10th in the GNAC with 3.39 points per set and leads the Yellowjackets with 2.76 kills and 3.07 digs per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter Skylar Reed registered 34 kills and four blocks in the three matches. She had 13 kills against both Rocky Mountain and Alaska and two blocks against Rocky Mountain. Junior middle blocker Joelle Mahowald had 32 kills and six blocks, led by her 13 kills, three blocks and .444 hitting percentage against Alaska.

• Freshman setter Hannah Hashbarger had 142 assists and 24 digs in the 13 sets last week. She highlighted the week with her 53 assists and nine digs against Rocky Mountain and also had 52 assists against Alaska. Hashbarger is fifth in the GNAC with 9.43 assists per set.

• Montana State Billings is averaging 11.42 kills and 15.49 digs per set.

• The Yellowjackets are on the road for their next two matches, playing at Simon Fraser on Thursday and Western Washington on Saturday.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE
• Northwest Nazarene has won three of its last four matches. After taking a three-set loss at Seattle Pacific on Thursday, the Nighthawks came back for a four-set win over Saint Martin’s on Saturday.

• Sophomore outside hitter Natalie Sullivan led the Nighthawks with 24 kills, 10 digs and four blocks in the two matches. Sullivan finished with 11 kills and seven digs at Seattle Pacific and then added 13 kills, three digs and three blocks at Saint Martin’s. Sullivan is averaging 2.44 kills per set.

• Junior outside hitter Abbey Blum finished with 16 kills, 22 digs and four blocks last week. After a quiet night with five kills and seven digs at Seattle Pacific, Blum surged to 11 kills, 15 digs and four blocks at Saint Martin’s. Blum enters the week averaging 2.75 kills and 2.87 digs per set.

• Senior setter Megan Nelson finished with 67 assists in the two matches. She opened the week with 29 assists, 10 digs and three aces at Seattle Pacific before registering 38 assists and 12 digs at Saint Martin’s. Nelson is third in the GNAC with 9.65 assists per set.

• Northwest Nazarene enters the week averaging 11.99 kills per set and ranks fourth in the GNAC with 17.43 digs per set. Sophomore outside hitter Brooke Foster is second in the GNAC with 3.42 kills and 4.08 points per set.

• Northwest Nazarene returns home for its next three matches and will host  Alaska Anchorage on Thursday and Alaska on Saturday.

SAINT MARTIN’S
• Saint Martin’s opened the second half of the GNAC schedule with a three-set loss to Central Washington on Thursday and a four-set loss to Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.

• Junior outside hitter Mackenzie Carter led the Saints with 16 kills and 20 digs in the two matches. She was quiet against Central Washington with four kills and two digs before coming alive for 12 kills, 18 digs and a .219 hitting percentage against Northwest Nazarene. Carter leads the Saints on the season with 2.98 kills per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter Emily Gooding finished with 17 kills in the two matches with seven digs and five blocks. Gooding finished with four kills, three digs and three blocks against Central Washington and then led the Saints with 13 kills, four digs and two blocks against Northwest Nazarene. Gooding enters the week averaging 1.4 kills per set.

• Sophomore libero Kylie Alos paced the SMU defense with her 38 digs, including 11 kills against Central Washington and 27 digs and six assists against Northwest Nazarene. Alos is fourth in the GNAC with 4.73 digs per set.

• Saint Martin’s enters the week averaging 9.22 kills and 14.72 digs per set.

• The Saints will travel to the Willamette Valley this week, playing at Concordia on Thursday and at Western Oregon on Saturday.

SEATTLE PACIFIC
• Seattle Pacific is on a four-match win streak after posting a three-set sweep over Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and a five-set win over Central Washington on Saturday.

• Senior outside hitter Gabby Oddo led the Falcons offensively with 33 kills, a .248 hitting percentage and 32 digs in the two victories. She opened the week with a double-double of 16 kills and 10 digs at Northwest Nazarene and then notched totals of 17 kill, 22 digs and three blocks against Central Washington. Oddo is third in the GNAC with 3.41 kills per set and fourth with 3.97 points per set.

• Junior outside hitter Maddie Batiste added 28 kills, six aces and 28 digs in the two matches. Against Northwest Nazarene, Batiste finished with 10 kills, 19 digs and three aces. She then posted totals of 18 kill, nine digs and three aces against Central Washington. Batiste is sixth in the GNAC with 3.39 kills per set while also averaging 3.15 digs per set.

• Freshman middle blocker Delaney Dunham came up with 11 blocks in the two matches. Her best match was against Central Washington, where she just missed a double-double with eight kills and nine blocks. Dunham also had 12 kills and a .360 hitting percentage in the two wins and enters the week averaging 0.94 blocks per set.

• Seattle Pacific enters the week ranked fourth in the GNAC with 12.29 kills per set while also averaging 15.60 digs per set. The Falcons are also fourth in the GNAC with 11.47 assists per set.

• Seattle Pacific head south this week for matches at Western Oregon on Thursday and at Concordia on Saturday.

SIMON FRASER
• Simon Fraser extended its win streak to seven matches with a four-set win over Western Oregon on Thursday and a three-set sweep of Concordia on Saturday. That streak came to an end, though, in a four-set loss to Western Washington on Tuesday.

• Senior outside hitter Kirsten Pinkney led SFU in the three matches with 43 kills, five aces and 42 digs. She had a huge double-double against Western Oregon with 19 kills, 15 digs, three aces and two blocks. She then had a double-double of 16 kills and 10 digs against Concordia before finishing with eight kills, 17 digs and two aces against Western Washington. Pinkney is ninth in the GNAC with three kills per set.

• Senior outside hitter Betsie de Beer finished with 40 kills and 52 digs in the three matches. She scored double-doubles in all three matches with 10 kills and 18 digs against Western Oregon, 12 kills, 19 digs and three blocks against Concordia and then led the Clan with 18 kills and 15 digs against Western Washington. de Beer is averaging 2.87 kills and 2.96 digs per set.

• Junior setter Julia Tays had 109 assists in the three matches. She opened with 41 assists against Western Oregon before adding double-doubles with 33 assists and 13 digs against Concordia and 35 assists and 12 digs against Western Washington. Tays is fourth in the GNAC with 9.52 assists per set.

• Simon Fraser is third in the GNAC with 13.07 kills per set and a .209 hitting percentage. The Clan is second in the conference and 39th in Division II with 12.43 assists per set along with second in the GNAC and 34th in Division II with 18 digs per set.

• The Clan will close the week at home, hosting Montana State Billings on Thursday.

WESTERN OREGON
• Western Oregon saw its current losing streak extend to seven matches with a three-set loss at Simon Fraser on Thursday and a three-set loss at Western Washington on Saturday.

• Junior outside hitter Sianna DeCarli led the Wolves with 20 kills, eight digs and three blocks in the two matches. She finished with 13 kills, six digs and two blocks at Simon Fraser and added seven kills and two digs at Western Washington. DeCarli leads the Wolves with 2.72 kills per set.

• Freshman outside hitter Lauren Smith added totals of 12  kills and 14 digs in the two matches. She started the week with six kills and nine digs at Simon Fraser before finishing with six kills and five digs at Western Washington. Smith is averaging two kills and 1.52 digs per set.

• Junior defensive specialist Allie Spear finished with 34 digs to lead the Wolves. She opened with 14 digs, seven assists and two aces at Simon Fraser and closed with 20 digs and three assists at Western Washington. Spear is sixth in the GNAC with 4.02 digs per set.

• Western Oregon enters the week averaging 10.69 kills and 12.22 digs per set with a .165 hitting percentage.

• The Wolves close the season by playing six of their final eight matches at home. They will host Seattle Pacific on Thursday and Saint Martin’s on Saturday.

WESTERN WASHINGTON
• Western Washington bounced back from its loss at Alaska Anchorage with three straight wins. The Vikings scored three-set sweeps over Concordia on Thursday and Western Oregon on Saturday before taking a four-set win at Simon Fraser on Tuesday.

• Sophomore middle blocker Chloe Roetcisoender was named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week after she finished wtrh 15 blocks and 17 kills in the wins over Concordia and Western Oregon. She had a double-double with 11 kills and 10 blocks with a .625 hitting percentage against Concordia and added six kills and five blocks against Western Oregon. Roetcisoender was big at the net again against Simon Fraser with six blocks and six kills. Roetcisoender is third in the GNAC and 16th in Division II with 1.26 blocks per set while also averaging 1.85 kills per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter Gabby Gunterman led the offense with 31 kills, 46 digs and nine blocks in the three matches. She opened with six kills, 15 digs and three blocks against Concordia and came up with nine kills, 15 digs and two blocks against Western Oregon. At Simon Fraser, Gunterman led the way with 16 kills, 16 digs and four blocks. Gunterman is seventh in the GNAC with 3.13 kills per set and 10th with a .261 hitting percentage.

• Freshman outside hitter Calley Heilborn added 30 kills, 44 digs and six blocks in the three wins. Heilborn opened the stretch with nine kills, 17 digs and four blocks against Concordia and then came up with six kills, 13 digs and two aces against Western Oregon. She opened the current week with 15 kills and 14 digs at Simon Fraser. Heilborn is fifth in the GNAC with 3.40 kills per set and third with 4.05 points per set.

• With the loss, Western Washington climbed one spot to No. 5 in the latest AVCA Division II Top-25 Coaches Poll.

• The Vikings lead the GNAC and are ranked third in Division II with a .271 hitting percentage. Western Washington also leads the conference with 14 kills per set, 13.19 assists per set and 2.74 blocks per set. The Vikings rank third in Division II in blocks per set, 12th in assists per set and 18th in kills per set.

• Western Washington closes the week on Saturday, hosting Montana State Billings.