Saturday, October 1, 2011

The brooms were out all around the GNAC Saturday.

All five conference matches were won in straight sets as Alaska Anchorage, Seattle Pacific, Western Washington, Western Oregon and Central Washington all posted 3-0 victories.

Jackie Matthisen had 15 kills to lead Alaska Anchorage (10-5, 6-1) to its fifth straight victory as it remained tied for first place in the GNAC with Western Washington with a 25-19, 25-14, 25-21 victory over Montana State Billings.

The Vikings (8-3, 6-1) held onto their share at the top spot clubbing winless Simon Fraser, 25-18, 25-11, 25-11.

Seattle Pacific (10-4, 5-1) stayed just one-half match back of the co-leaders as Cailin Fellows and Shelby Swanson both registered double-doubles in a 25-19, 25-22, 25-15 over Alaska Fairbanks at The Patty Center.

Danielle Reese had 19 kills as Western Oregon (6-6, 5-3) disposed of Northwest Nazarene at Monmouth, 25-21, 25-18, 25-22. Meanwhile, Jordan Offutt had 15 kills as Central Washington (9-6, 3-4) outscored Saint Martin's 25-23, 25-18, 25-18 at Lacey.

Alaska Anchorage extended its win streak to five outhitting Montana State Billings (8-7, 2-4) by 112 points (.267 to .155). Robyn Burton hit .438 (8-2-16) and Matthisen swung for a .316 average (15-3-38).

UAA also got nine kills and a .278 hitting percentage from Ariel Austin. Kimya Jafroudi orchestrated the offense with 34 assists, while Quincy Haught led the defense with 18 digs.

Monica Grimsrud had 10 of Montana State Billings' 29 kills. Chelsey Walter led all blockers with four.

Western Washington needed just 67 minutes to dispose of Simon Fraser (0-11, 0-7) as Kinsey Davis and Emily Jepsen led the Vikings with 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Jepsen didn't have an error and hit for a .556 percentage).

Leading the Clan was Katie Forsyth with seven kills. Kristjana Fridfinnson and Jessica Young each had five kills.

Fellows had 15 kills and 11 digs, while Swanson had 36 assists and 11 digs in Seattle Pacific's victory. Swanson, who became the 21st member of the GNAC 2000-Assist club on Thursday, increased her career total of 2,040.

The Falcons outhit Alaska Fairbanks .200 to .086, snapping the Nanooks' win streak at two. UAF is now 2-13 (2-5 in conference play).

Casey Tidwell accounted for half of UAF's offense, earning 14 kills in just 21 swings. Allison Oddy led the Nanook defense with 16 digs.

Joining Reese who hit at a .333 clip in double figures in Western Oregon's win was Krissi Kemper who had 10 kills and posted a .400 percentage. Megan Triggs had 18 digs for the Wolves.

Carly Dranginis and Becky Flores each had eight kills for the Crusaders (7-5, 4-3). Kailey Trautmann contributed 20 digs.

In addition to Offutt, Central Washington got 11 kills and a .379 percentage and a match-high 18 digs from Meg Ryan in its victory. The Saints (3-11, 2-6), who have lost six straight, were led by Kristyn Ross with 12 kills and 11 digs.