Saturday, October 8, 2011

Cailin Fellows slammed 20 kills and Angie Pricco had a career-high 13 block assists - just one off the GNAC single-match record - as Seattle Pacific pulled out a 21-25, 25-17, 25-14, 21-25, 15-10 win over Western Washington Saturday at Brougham Pavilion.

That result, along with Alaska Anchorage's four-set loss at Northwest Nazarene, vaulted the Falcons (12-4, 8-1) into sole possession of first place.

Western Washington (9-4, 7-2) and Alaska Anchorage (11-6, 7-2) are tied for second.

Kaitlyn Tuholski and Haley Abbott each had 14 kills in Northwest Nazarene's 25-19, 25-13, 18-25, 29-27 win.

The Crusaders (9-5, 6-3) are tied for fourth with Western Oregon (7-6, 6-3) which defeated Saint Martin's, 25-10, 25-23, 22-25, 25-18.

Central Washington (10-7, 4-5) defeated Alaska Fairbanks, 21-25, 25-13, 25-19, 25-19 and Montana State Billings (9-8, 3-5) swept Simon Fraser, 25-22, 25-19, 26-24 to complete Saturday's slate.

Fellows' kill total was just one off her career high. Pricco shattered her old career high for blocks of eight. She missed the GNAC of 14 set by CWU's Rachael Schurman against SPU in 2007 by one.

Outside hitter Lindsey Wodrich had a double-double of 12 kills and 11 digs. It was her seventh double-double of the season and the 26th of her career.

Libero Anna Herold passed 2,000 digs and moved into the No. 2 spot on the all-time GNAC digs list. She had 30 on Saturday giving her 2,016. She moved ahead of former Seattle University star Maggie Safranski, who had 2,008 from 2002-05.

Setter Shelby Swanson joined the GNAC all-time Top 20 for assists. Her 49 on Saturday gave her 2,120 for her career, pushing her ahead of former WWU star Kari Rice, who finished with 2,110. Swanson made it a double-double on Saturday with 16 digs.

Western Washington was led by Marlayna Geary with 17 kills. Kayla Erickson had 14 and Emily Jepsen had 10, but the Vikings were outhit .201 to .103 as SPU came up with 19 blocks.

Four players were in double figure kills for Northwest Nazarene in its win. In addition to Tuholski who had her second triple-double (14 kills, 22 assists, 13 digs) of the season and Abbott who had eight blocks, Carly Dranginis had 13 kills and Reisa Fessler had 10.

Alaska Anchorage was led by Jackie Matthisen with 18 kills. Robyn Burton had 15 and a .542 hitting percentage (15-2-24) and Nikkie Viotta had 10.

Danielle Reese had 12 kills and Krissi Kemper had 11 in Western Oregon's victory.

The Wolves also got 23 digs from Megan Triggs and five blocks from Becky Blees as they held the Saints to a .133 hitting percentage.

Kristyn Ross and Teilissa Tua had 13 each for Saint Martin's (3-12, 2-7). Brianna Bautista led SMU defensively with 30 digs.

Jordan Offutt led Central Washington to its win with 17 kills. The Wildcats, who outhit the Nanooks .239 to .101, also got 13 kills and six blocks from Erin Smith. Carlee Marble had 45 assists and Emmy Dolan had five blocks.

Casey Tidwell had 14 for Alaska Fairbanks (2-15, 2-7). Keri Knight added 11 kills and Jordyn Montgomery had a match-high 18 digs.

Monica Grimsrud paced Montana State Billings with 11 kills and Melissa Porter had seven blocks in its victory over Simon Fraser.

Kristjana Fridfinnson had 11 kills for the Clan (0-13, 0-9), which lost its 18th consecutive match dating back to a 3-2 win over Alaska Fairbanks on Oct. 21, 2010.