Wednesday, October 20, 2021

NIGHTHAWKS PICK-UP LONG-AWAITED WINS: Northwest Nazarene has a young, talented lineup but had yet to pickup a win in GNAC play until now.

The Nighthawks put themselves in the win column with a pair of solid victories at home, posting a four-set win over Saint Martin’s on Thursday and a three-set sweep of Western Oregon on Saturday. The team hit .258 in the two matches, averaging 16.43 kills per set.

Northwest Nazarene put itself on the shoulders of junior outside hitter Natalie Sullivan, who was named the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week after she averaged an impressive 6.14 kills per set. Sullivan had 20 kills in the win over Saint Martin’s and then had a double-double of 20 kills and 12 digs against Western Oregon.

BLOCK PARTY: The GNAC is once again proving to be one of the top blocking conferences in the nation. In the Division II statistics, four conference teams are ranked in the top 10. Western Washington leads the conference, ranking fourth nationally with 2.57 blocks per set. The Vikings are closely followed by Seattle Pacific (sixth, 2.53 blocks per set), Central Washington (seventh, 2.52 blocks per set) and Alaska (eighth, 2.51 blocks per set).

Of the conference’s 10 volleyball teams, six are averaging over two blocks per set.

Individually, four GNAC players rank among the top 30 in Division II in blocking. Western Washington junior Olivia Fairchild is fourth with 1.38 blocks per set. Seattle Pacific freshman Hannah Hair is ninth with 1.31 blocks per set. Alaska senior middle blocker Emily Moorhead is 22nd with 1.17 blocks per set and Central Washington senior middle blocker Leanna Shymanski is 27th with 1.14 blocks per set.

SECOND HALF STARTS: The second half of the GNAC season begins with a tight race for the conference lead and a tighter race for third place.

Alaska Anchorage leads the GNAC at 8-0 with Western Washington just a game behind at 7-1. The two teams have yet to meet this season with the September 30 postponed due to health and safety protocols. The Vikings and Seawolves will meet on October 30 in Anchorage and on November 8 in Bellingham.

Alaska, Central Washington and Simon Fraser are tied for third at 6-3. The logjam will break up a bit this weekend with SFU hosting Central Washington.

SIMPLY THE BEST: The following GNAC plays have been named to all-tournament teams during the 2021 season.

Seawolf Invitational (Sept. 2-4): Cate Whiting (UAF), Ellen Floyd (UAA), Eve Stephens (UAA).
Yellowjacket Invitational (Sept. 3-4): Tia Allen (SMU, MVP), Kylie Alos (SMU), Joelle Maohwald (MSUB), Bayli Monck (MSUB).
WWU Invitational (Sept. 3-5): Malia Aleaga (WWU, MVP), Gabby Gunterman (WWU), Olivia Fairchild (WWU), Tess Biscup (WWU), Marianna Payne (CWU), Tia Andaya (CWU).
CWU/SPU Invitational (Sept. 9-11): Hannah Hair (SPU), Emily Tulino (SPU), Erin Gould (SPU), Hannah Stires (CWU), Leanna Shymanski (CWU), Ashley Kaufman (CWU), Brooke Dexter (SFU), Julia Tays (SFU), Bailee Hartsook (WOU).
Hawaii Challenge (Sept. 9-12): Bayli Monck (MSUB).

THIS WEEK'S GNAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE
Natalie Sullivan, Northwest Nazarene
OH • 6-0 • Junior • Boise, Idaho

Sullivan averaged 6.14 kills per set and hit .355 to lead the Nighthawks to their first conference wins of the season. Sullivan opened the week with 23 kills and six digs in Thursday’s four-set win over Saint Martin’s. She then added a double-double with 20 kills and 12 digs with an ace in Saturday’s three-set win over Western Oregon.

Also Nominated: Marianna Payne (Central Washington), Emily Gooding (Saint Martin’s), Julia Tays (Simon Fraser), Isabel Hurliman (Western Oregon), Olivia Fairchild (Western Washington).

DEFENSIVE
Emma Daoud-Hebert, Central Washington
MB • 6-0 • Freshman • Woodinville, Wash.

Daoud-Hebert averaged 2.17 blocks and 1.33 kills per set to lead Central Washington to a pair of three-set wins. She opened with four blocks, three kills, a dig and an ace in Thursday’s win over Western Oregon. Against Saint Martin’s on Saturday, Daoud-Hebert finished with nine blocks, five kills, a dig and an ace.

Also Nominated: Caroline McMahon (Northwest Nazarene), Abigail Halstead (Saint Martin’s), Bianca Te (Simon Fraser), Delaney Smith (Western Oregon), Gabby Gunterman (Western Washington).

AROUND THE GNAC
ALASKA
• Alaska lost its only match of the week, losing in three sets on Saturday at in-state rival Alaska Anchorage.

• Senior outside hitter AveRee Reynolds led the Nanooks with seven kills in the match. She enters the week averaging 2.71 kills and 0.96 blocks per set.

• Sophomore middle blocker Sophie Schilling added six kills and four blocks. Schilling is seventh in the GNAC with 1.05 blocks per set and is 15th in Division II with 82 total blocks.

• Senior setter Cate Whiting just missed a double-double, finishing with 17 assists, nine digs and two blocks. Whiting is fourth in the GNAC with 9.59 assists per set and is 15th in Division II with 778 total assists.

• Alaska enters the week averaging 12.68 kills per set and is third in the GNAC with 16.41 digs per set. The Nanooks are second in the GNAC in opponent hitting percentage (.148) and service aces (1.82 per set). Alaska is also eighth in Division II with 2.51 blocks per set and fourth with 195.5 total blocks. Senior middle blocker Emily Moorhead is 22nd in Division II with 1.17 blocks per set.

• Alaska enters the second half of the GNAC season in a three-way tie for third with Simon Fraser and Central Washington at 6-3. The Nanooks play at Montana State Billings on Thursday and at Seattle Pacific on Saturday.

ALASKA ANCHORAGE
• Alaska Anchorage improved to 8-1 with a three-set sweep of Alaska at the Alaska Airlines Center on Saturday.

• Junior right-side hitter Eve Stephens led the Seawolves with totals of 10 kills, seven digs and four blocks. Stephens is third in the GNAC and 25th in Division II with 3.89 kills per set. She also leads the conference and is eighth in Division II with 4.78 points per set while ranking ninth nationally with 280 total kills.

• Freshman outside hitter/middle blocker Mahala Kaapuni came off the bench for 10 kills to go with two digs and two blocks. Kaapuni is averaging 2.09 kills per set.

• Junior setter Ellen Floyd had a double-double of 33 assists and 11 digs to go with four kills in the victory. Floyd is third in the GNAC with 9.96 assists per set and is 26th in Division II with 717 total assists.

• Alaska Anchorage leads the GNAC and is 40th in Division II with a .239 hitting percentage. The Seawolves also lead the conference and are 14th in Division II with 2.21 aces per set while ranking 14th nationally with 159 team service aces.

• Alaska Anchorage is in the AVCA Division II Coaches Poll for the second straight week, dropping one spot to No. 24.

• Alaska Anchorage leads the GNAC at 8-0. The Seawolves will open the second half of the season at Seattle Pacific on Thursday and at Montana State Billings on Saturday.

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
• Montana State Billings closed the first half of the GNAC season with a pair of road losses, falling in three sets at Simon Fraser on Thursday and at Western Washington on Saturday.

• Junior outside hitter Skylar Reed once again paced the MSUB offense, averaging 2.83 kills per set last week. Reed finished with seven kills, one assist and a dig at Simon Fraser. She then added 10 kills with a .364 hitting percentage and a block at Western Washington. Reed is averaging 2.94 kills per set.

• Senior right-side hitter Bayli Monck added averages of 2.67 kills and 2.67 digs per set. Monck led the Yellowjackets with nine kills and nine digs at Simon Fraser and then posted seven kills and seven digs at Western Washington. Monck is fourth in the GNAC with 3.47 kills and 3.94 points per set.

• Freshman libero Christine Funk averaged 4.17 digs per set, finishing with 15 digs at Simon Fraser and 10 digs at Western Washington. Funk ranks fourth in the GNAC with 4.10 digs per set.

• Montana State Billings enters the week averaging 11.21 kills and 14.40 digs per set. The Yellowjackets rank sixth in the GNAC with 2.03 blocks per set.

• The Yellowjackets enter the second half of GNAC play in sixth place at 5-4. They will host Alaska on Thursday and Alaska Anchorage on Saturday.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE
• Northwest Nazarene put an end to a seven-match GNAC losing streak with two home victories, scoring a four-set win over Saint Martin’s on Thursday and a three-set win over Western Oregon on Saturday.

• Junior outside hitter Natalie Sullivan was named the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after averaging 6.14 kills and 2.57 blocks per set in the two victories with a .355 hitting percentage. Sullivan surged with 23 kills and six digs with a .378 hitting percentage against Saint Martin’s. She then posted a double-double of 20 kills and 12 digs against Western Oregon. Sullivan is second in the GNAC and 21st in Division II with 3.95 kills per set.

• Freshman defensive specialist Molly Anderson averaged 4.43 digs and 1.43 kills per set. After posting totals of 17 digs and three kills against Saint Martin’s, Anderson posted totals of 14 digs, seven kills and two blocks against Western Oregon. Anderson is averaging 3.06 digs and 1.79 kills per set.

• Junior middle blocker Anna Gable averaged 2.29 kills and 0.57 blocks per set in the wins. She opened the week with 10 kills and two blocks against Saint Martin’s before posting totals of six kills, two digs and two blocks against Western Oregon. Gable is averaging 1.72 kills and 0.75 blocks per set.

• The Nighthawks are averaging 12.13 kills per set and are second in the GNAC with 17.17 digs per set.

• Northwest Nazarene enters the second half of the GNAC season in eighth place at 2-7. The Nighthawks hit the road this week to face Western Washington on Thursday and Simon Fraser on Saturday.

SAINT MARTIN’S
• Saint Martin’s dropped both conference matches over the weekend, losing in four sets at Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and in three sets at Central Washington on Saturday. The Saints snapped a six-match losing streak on Tuesday with a four-set non-conference win at Linfield.

• Senior right-side hitter Emily Gooding paced the Saints with averages of 3.73 kills and 2.91 digs per set in the three matches. She posted a double-double of 16 kills and 13 digs with two blocks at Northwest Nazarene and then had 10 kills and seven digs at Central Washington. Gooding led the Saints with 15 kills and 12 digs at Linfield. Gooding is averaging 2.63 kills and 1.04 digs per set.

• Freshman outside hitter Tia Allen averaged 2.27 kills and 1.91 digs per set over the three matches. Allen finished with nine kills and five digs at Northwest Nazarene before adding seven kills and four blocks at Central Washington. Allen finished short of a double-double at Linfield with nine kills and 15 digs. Allen is eighth in the GNAC with 2.99 kills and 3.51 points per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter Kylie Coon averaged 2.62 kills per set in the three matches, paced by a 13-kill, five-dig effort against Northwest Nazarene and seven kills at Linfield. Coon is averaging 2.29 kills per set on the season.

• Saint Martin’s is averaging 11.99 kills per set. The Saints lead the GNAC and are 42nd in Division II with 17.68 digs per set.

• The Saints enter the second half of the GNAC season in ninth place at 1-8. They host Western Oregon for their only match of the week on Saturday.

SEATTLE PACIFIC
• Seattle Pacific dropped both matches last week, falling in three sets at Western Washington on Thursday and in four sets at Simon Fraser on Saturday.

• Senior outside hitter Maddie Batiste led the Falcons with averages of 2.71 kills and 2.71 digs per set. Batiste opened the week with a double-double of 12 kills and 13 digs at Western Washington. She contributed seven kills, six digs, a block and an ace at Simon Fraser. Batiste leads the Falcons with an average of 2.71 kills per set and is averaging 2.27 digs per set.

• Freshman middle blocker Hannah Hair averaged 2.43 kills and 0.43 blocks per set on the road trip. Hair finished with six kills, a block and an assist at Western Washington before coming up with 11 kills and two blocks at Simon Fraser. Hair is averaging 2.41 kills per set. She is third in the GNAC and ninth in Division II with 1.31 blocks per set.

• Senior outside hitter Erin Gould averaged 2.29 kills and 2.57 digs per set. She just missed a double-double with 11 kills and nine digs at Western Washington. Gould then finished with seven kills, nine digs and two blocks at Simon Fraser. Gould is averaging 1.98 kills and 2.14 digs per set.

• Seattle Pacific is second in the GNAC and 46th in Division II with 13.25 kills per set. The Falcons lead the GNAC and are 22nd in Division II with 12.58 assists per set.

• Seattle Pacific enters the second half of the GNAC season in sixth place at 5-4. The Falcons host Alaska Anchorage on Thursday and Alaska on Saturday.

SIMON FRASER
• Simon Fraser has now won four straight matches after beating Montana State Billings in four sets on Thursday and Seattle Pacific in four sets on Saturday.

• Freshman outside hitter Brooke Dexter averaged 4.14 kills and 2.71 digs per set with a .347 hitting percentage to lead SFU. Dexter opened the week with 12 kills, nine digs, two aces and a block against MSUB. She then posted a double-double of 17 kills and 10 digs with three blocks and an ace against Seattle Pacific. Dexter leads the GNAC and is 10th in Division II with 4.25 kills per set. She is also second in the GNAC and ninth in Division II with 4.78 points per set.

• Freshman outside hitter Jocelyn Sherman averaged 3.20 kills and 1.60 digs per set in the two matches. She finished just short of a double-double of 14 kills and eight digs with two blocks and a .314 hitting percentage against Montana State Billings and then finished with two kills against Seattle Pacific. Sherman is averaging 2.15 kills and 1.91 digs per set.

• Senior setter Julia Tays averaged 12 assists per set in the two matches. Tays opened the week with totals of 38 assists, six digs, four blocks and three aces against Montana State Billings. She then added 46 assists, eight digs, four kills and a block against Seattle Pacific. Tays leads the GNAC and is 13th in Division II with 10.90 assists per set.

• Simon Fraser leads the GNAC and is 38th in Division II with 13.41 kills per set. Simon Fraser is third in the GNAC with a .228 hitting percentage.

• Simon Fraser received 36 votes in this week’s AVCA Division II Coaches Poll. The team has earned votes in seven of the year’s eight polls.

• Simon Fraser enters the second half of the GNAC season tied for third with Alaska and Central Washington at 6-3. Simon Fraser continues a four-match homestand this week, hosting the Wildcats on Thursday and Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.

WESTERN OREGON
• Western Oregon closed the first half of conference play with three-set losses at Central Washington on Thursday and at Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.

• Sophomore outside hitter Isabel Hurliman led the Wolves with averages of 3.83 kills and 2.33 digs per set. Hurliman opened the week with six kills and six digs at Central Washington. She then added totals of 17 kills, eight digs and three blocks at Northwest Nazarene. Hurliman is seventh in the GNAC with 3.03 kills per set and is tied for sixth with 3.59 points per set.

• Freshman outside hitter Bailee Hartsook finished with an average of two kills per set. She had five of those kills with a dig and a block at Central Washington before posting seven kills, a dig and a block at Northwest Nazarene. Hartsook is averaging 2.80 kills per set.

• Junior setter Aubrey Stanton averaged 6.83 assists per set on the road trip. She finished with 15 assists at Central Washington and finished with a double-double of 26 assists and 10 digs at Northwest Nazarene. Stanton is ninth in the GNAC with 6.17 assists per set.

• Western Oregon enters the week averaging 10.69 kills and 14.21 digs per set.

• Western Oregon opens the second half looking for its first conference win of the season. The Wolves play their only match of the week at Saint Martin’s on Saturday.

WESTERN WASHINGTON
• Western Washington has now won six straight matches thanks to a pair of three-set sweeps over Seattle Pacific on Thursday and Montana State Billings on Saturday.

• Junior outside hitter Gabby Gunterman led the Vikings with averages of 3.38 kills, 1.83 digs and 1.17 blocks per set. Gunterman opened with totals of 11 kills, four digs and five blocks against Seattle Pacific. She then added 12 kills, seven digs and two blocks with a .429 hitting percentage against MSUB. Gunterman is ninth in the GNAC with 2.97 kills per set and is tied for sixth with 3.59 points per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter Calley Heilborn registered 3.67 kills, 2.33 digs and 1.17 aces per set. She was solid against SPU with 10 kills, eight digs, three blocks and two aces. Heilborn then added 12 kills, six digs and five aces against MSUB. Heilborn leads WWU and is fifth in the GNAC with 3.22 kills per set.

• Junior middle blocker Olivia Fairchild came up with 3.50 kills and 1.33 blocks per set in the homestand. Fairchild finished with 10 kills and five blocks against Seattle Pacific and added totals of 11 kills and three blocks against MSUB. Fairchild is averaging 2.43 kills per set. She is second in the GNAC and fifth in Division II with 1.38 blocks per set.

• Western Washington is third in the GNAC with 12.74 kills per set. They rank second in the GNAC and 49th in Division II with a .229 hitting percentage. The Vikings lead the GNAC and are fourth in Division II with 2.57 blocks per set.

• Western Washington climbed one spot to No. 19 in the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll. It is the 116th consecutive week that WWU has appeared in the top 25.

• The Vikings enter the second half of GNAC play in second place at 7-1. Western Washington concludes a four-match homestand against Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and Central Washington on Saturday.