Wednesday, November 17, 2021

TROPHY IN HAND BUT PLENTY FOR PLAY FOR: Nothing is truly for certain in GNAC volleyball but Western Washington made sure there was no doubt in claiming its fourth consecutive conference title.
The Vikings won three matches last week to secure the trophy. They put additional breathing room in the standings with a four-set win over

Alaska Anchorage on Monday and clinched the championship and the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Championships on Thursday with a three-set sweep at Montana State Billings.

Coupled with a four-set win at Seattle Pacific on Saturday, Western Washington has now won 15 straight matches. The team’s last loss came to Central Washington on September 23. In that stretch, the Vikings have dropped a total of nine sets.

While the conference title is in hand, there is still plenty to play for in the final week as three other GNAC teams have appeared in the NCAA West Region Rankings, which will ultimately determine postseason qualification.

In last week’s rankings, Western Washington sat at No. 2 while Simon Fraser was at No. 3. Simon Fraser may slip some in the new poll, which will be released on Wednesday, after Saturday’s four-set loss to Montana State Billings.

Central Washington was ranked No. 6 and stands to either stay at that spot or move up after wins over Saint Martin’s on Thursday and Western Oregon on Saturday. Alaska Anchorage was ranked No. 8. Where the Seawolves sit will be hard to figure after losses to Western Washington on Monday and Alaska on Saturday.

The top eight teams in each region earn selection to the NCAA Championships. The field will be announced in a selection show that will air on NCAA.com on Monday, November 22 at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific).

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
Bayli Monck, Montana State Billings
RS • 5-10 • Senior • Colorado Springs, Colo.

Monck averaged 3.86 kills, 4.57 digs, 0.57 blocks and 0.43 aces per set as MSUB split its final home matches of the season. Monck closed the week with a double-double of 21 kills and 16 digs with three blocks and two aces in Saturday’s four-set win over Simon Fraser. She opened with six kills, 16 digs, a block and an ace in Thursday’s three-set loss to Western Washington. In the process, Monck became the fifth player in MSUB history with 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs.

Gabby Gunterman, Western Washington
OH • 5-10 • Junior • Lake Stevens, Wash.

Gunterman averaged 3.55 kills, 4.45 digs and 0.55 blocks per set in three matches as the Vikings clinched the GNAC championship. She opened the week with a double-double of 13 kills and 21 digs in Monday’s four-set win over Alaska Anchorage. After finishing with nine kills, 20 digs and four blocks in Thursday’s three-set sweep at Montana State Billings, Gunterman posted 17 kills and eight digs in Saturday’s four-set win at Seattle Pacific.

Also Nominated: AveRee Reynolds (Alaska), Tia Andaya (Central Washington), Emily Gooding (Saint Martin’s), Julia Tays (Simon Fraser), Bailee Hartsook (Western Oregon).

DEFENSIVE
Bella MacLellan, Western Oregon
MB • 6-0 • Freshman • Santa Ana, Calif.

MacLellan averaged two blocks per set as the Wolves secured a split in their final home weekend of the season. MacLellan finished with eight blocks and three digs in Thursday’s four-set win over Northwest Nazarene. She then turned in 10 blocks with four kills in Saturday’s five-set loss to Central Washington.

Also Nominated: Emily Moorhead (Alaska), Hannah Stires (Central Washington), Hannah Hayden (Montana State Billings), Maddy Gooding (Saint Martin’s), Bianca Te (Simon Fraser), Chloe Roetcisoender (Western Washington).

AROUND THE GNAC
ALASKA
• Alaska opened its season-ending three-match homestand with a big victory, knocking off in-state rival Alaska Anchorage in four sets on Saturday.

• Senior outside hitter AveRee Reynolds came off the bench to lead all players with 16 kills and a .448 hitting percentage with three blocks. Reynolds shares the UAF lead with 2.66 kills per set while also averaging 0.91 blocks per set.

• Senior outside hitter Lahra Weber finished with nine kills, two aces, five digs and a block while freshman outside hitter Rilee White finished with eight kills, two aces, eight digs and two blocks. Weber is averaging 2.25 kills per set while White is averaging 2.09 kills per set.

• Senior middle blocker Emily Moorhead added six blocks to go with five kills. Moorhead is fourth in the GNAC and 19th in Division II with 1.20 blocks per set. She also ranks 19th in Division II with 119 blocks.

• Alaska enters the week averaging 12.62 kills and 15.90 digs per set. The Nanooks are third in the GNAC with 1.75 aces per set while also ranking third in the conference and 12th in Division II with 2.48 blocks per set.

• The Nanooks finish the season with matches against Saint Martin’s on Thursday and Western Oregon on Saturday.

ALASKA ANCHORAGE
• Alaska Anchorage dropped a pair of four-set matches last week, taking losses at Western Washington on Monday and at Alaska on Saturday.

• Junior right-side hitter Eve Stephens averaged four kills, 3.62 digs and 1.25 blocks per set over the two matches. Stephens had a double-double of 18 kills and 16 digs with four blocks at Western Washington. She added totals of 14 kills, 13 digs, four aces and six blocks at Alaska. Stephens leads the GNAC and is 13th in Division II with 4.66 points per set. She is second in the conference and 26th in Division II with 3.85 kills per set.

• Freshman outside hitter/middle blocker Mahala Kaapuni averaged 2.25 kills per set in the road matches. She opened the week with 11 kills, four digs and three blocks at Western Washington before coming up with seven kills at Alaska. Kaapuni is averaging 2.15 kills per set.

• Junior middle blocker Akor Maywin was one of three players with double-digit blocks on the week, leading UAA with 14 blocks. She had seven in each match and also had 11 kills at Western Washington. Senior middle blocker Vera Pluharova had 11 blocks, seven of which came at Western Washington. Pluharova is eighth in the GNAC with 1.08 blocks per set while Maywin is averaging 0.96 blocks per set.

• Alaska Anchorage is averaging 12.63 kills and 14.83 digs per set. The Seawolves lead the conference and rank 29th in Division II with 2.04 aces per set.

• Alaska Anchorage is still among the teams receiving votes in the AVCA Division II Coaches Poll with seven points and was No. 8 in last week’s NCAA West Region Rankings of the season.

• Alaska Anchorage closes the regular season at home, hosting Western Oregon on Thursday and Saint Martin’s on Saturday.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON
• Central Washington moved into second place in the GNAC standings with a three-set sweep of Saint Martin’s on Thursday and a five-set win at Western Oregon on Saturday.

• After going without one since October 1, sophomore setter/outside hitter Tia Andaya set the GNAC single-season record with her sixth triple-double of the season, finishing with 13 kills, 31 assists and 14 digs at Western Oregon. She surpassed the previous record of five set by Northwest Nazarene’s Kaitlyn Tuholski in 2011. Andaya averaged 5.88 assists per set in the two matches and is 10th in the GNAC with 5.13 assists per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter Ashley Kaufman led the Wildcats with averages of 3.50 kills and 2.12 digs per set. Kaufman finished with 13 kills, seven digs and a .304 hitting percentage and added a double-double of 15 kills and 10 digs at Western Oregon. Kaufman is seventh in the GNAC with 3.05 kills per set.

• Freshman outside hitter Marianna Payne averaged 2.75 kills per set and had a .357 hitting percentage. Payne had seven kills and a .545 hitting percentage at Saint Martin’s. She then posted totals of 15 kills, three digs and three blocks at Western Oregon. Payne is averaging 2.76 kills per set.

• Central Washington is averaging 12.30 kills and 14.57 digs per set and is second in the GNAC with 1.76 aces per set. The Wildcats are fourth in the conference and 16th in Division II with 2.40 blocks per set.

• The Wildcats received votes in the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll for the second consecutive week with 10 points. They were No. 6 in last week’s NCAA West Region Rankings.

• Central Washington wrap up the regular season at home, hosting Seattle Pacific on Thursday and Montana State Billings on Saturday.

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
• Montana State Billings split its final two home matches of the season, taking a three-set loss to Western Washington on Thursday before scoring a four-set upset of Simon Fraser on Saturday.

• Senior right-side hitter Bayli Monck was named the GNAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week after she averaged 3.86 kills and 4.57 digs per set in the two matches. Monck led the Yellowjackets with 21 kills, 16 digs, three blocks and two aces in the win over Simon Fraser. She had six kills against Western Washington and became the fifth player in MSUB history to amass 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs. Monck ranks fourth in the GNAC with 3.52 kills per set.

• Senior middle blocker Joelle Mahowald averaged three kills and 0.71 blocks per set. Mahowald led MSUB with 10 kills against Western Washington. She then contributed 11 kills, four blocks and three digs against Simon Fraser. Mahowald is 10th in the GNAC with 1.02 blocks per set while averaging 2.37 kills per set.

• Sophomore setter Hannah Hashbarger averaged 11.29 assists and 4.14 digs per set. She had double-doubles in both matches, finishing with 30 assists and 12 digs against Western Washington along with 49 assists and 17 digs against Simon Fraser. Hashbarger is sixth in the GNAC with 8.24 assists per set.

• Montana State Billings enters the week averaging 11.54 kills and 15.55 digs per set.

• The Yellowjackets close the 2021 season on the road, playing at Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and Central Washington on Saturday.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE
• Northwest Nazarene split its final road trip of the season, dropping a four-set match at Western Oregon on Thursday before scoring a three-set sweep at Saint Martin’s on Saturday.

• Junior outside hitter Natalie Sullivan averaged 3.43 kills and 5.29 digs per set to lead the Nighthawks. She scored a double-double in both matches, finishing with 10 kills and 19 digs with three aces and two blocks at Western Oregon. Sullivan then added 14 kills and 18 digs at Saint Martin’s. Sullivan is third in the GNAC with 4.15 points and 3.81 kills per set while ranking 11th in Division II with 11.90 attacks per set.

• Junior middle blocker Anna Gable added 2.71 kills and one block per set. Gable opened the week with 11 kills and five blocks at Western Oregon. She closed out with eight kills and two blocks at Saint Martin’s. Gabel enters the final week of the season averaging 1.79 kills and 0.83 blocks per set.

• Sophomore libero Caroline McMahon averaged 7.71 digs per set, which included 37 digs with four assists at Western Oregon and 17 digs and two aces at Saint Martin’s. McMahon leads the GNAC with 4.80 digs per set.

• The Nighthawks enter the week averaging 11.92 kills per set. They lead the conference and rank 31st in Division II with 18.08 digs per set.

• Northwest Nazarene closes the season at home, hosting Montana State Billings on Thursday and Seattle Pacific on Saturday.

SAINT MARTIN’S
• Saint Martin’s hopes to snap a five-match losing streak in the final week of the season after taking three-set losses to Central Washington on Thursday and Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.

• Senior right-side hitter Emily Gooding led the Saints in the home finale, averaging of 3.50 kills per set. Gooding led SMU with 11 kills, a .364 hitting percentage and two digs against Central Washington. She then added 10 kills, six digs, two blocks and two aces against Northwest Nazarene. Gooding is averaging 2.68 kills per set.

• Freshman outside hitter Tia Allen posted averages of 2.50 kills and three digs per set. After struggling against Central Washington, Allen led the Saints with 11 kills and 15 digs to go with two assists and a block against Northwest Nazarene. Allen is ninth in the GNAC with 2.93 kills and 3.40 points per set.

• Junior libero Kylie Alos averaged 6.17 digs per set. After posting 12 digs against Central Washington, Alos finished with 25 digs, three assists and an ace against Northwest Nazarene. Alos is fourth in the GNAC with 4.37 digs per set.

• Saint Martin’s is averaging 11.77 kills per set. The Saints are second in the GNAC with 17.56 digs per set.

• The Saints will close the year in the 49th state, playing at Alaska on Thursday and at Alaska Anchorage on Saturday.

SEATTLE PACIFIC
• Seattle Pacific split its final home weekend of the season, scoring a four-set win over Simon Fraser on Thursday before taking a four-set loss to Western Washington on Saturday.

• Sophomore middle blocker Hannah Hair continues to pace the Seattle Pacific offense, averaging 2.62 kills and 0.62 blocks per set on the homestand. Hair opened the week with 11 kills and three blocks against Simon Fraser. Against Western Washington, Hair finished with 10 kills, a .391 hitting percentage and two blocks. Hair is third in the GNAC with a .324 hitting percentage. She is also third in the conference and 10th in Division II with 1.27 blocks per set.

• Senior outside hitter Maddie Batiste averaged 2.50 kills and 2.88 digs per set. Batiste opened the week with a double-double of 12 kills and 11 digs with three aces and two blocks against Simon Fraser. She added eight kills, 12 digs, two blocks and two aces against Western Washington. Batiste leads SPU with 2.68 kills per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter/middle blocker Allison Wilks came up with 12 blocks, averaging 1.50 blocks per set. She had six blocks in each match to go with six kills against SFU and eight kills and a .438 hitting percentage against WWU. Wilks is fifth in the GNAC and 26th in Division II with 1.14 blocks per set.

• Seattle Pacific ranks third in the GNAC with 13.08 kills per set. The Falcons rank second in the GNAC and sixth in Division II with 2.61 blocks per set. They also rank third in the conference and 37th nationally with 12.41 assists per set.

• The Falcons conclude the 2021 season on the road, playing at Central Washington on Thursday and Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.

SIMON FRASER
• Simon Fraser stumbled at the start of its three-match road trip, falling in four sets at Seattle Pacific on Thursday and Montana State Billings on Saturday.

• Outside hitter Brooke Dexter is finishing her freshman season strong, averaging 3.50 kills and 2.50 digs per set last week. Dexter finished with 15 kills and eight digs at Seattle Pacific. She then finished with a double-double of 13 kills and 12 digs with two blocks at Montana State Billings. Dexter leads the GNAC and is 14th in Division II with 4.07 kills per set. She is also second in the GNAC and 15th in Division II with 4.61 points per set.

• Sophomore Camryn Vosloh averaged 3.38 kills and 2.62 digs per set. After posting seven kills, seven digs and three blocks at Seattle Pacific, Vosloh notched a double-double of 20 kills and 14 digs at MSUB. Vosloh is 10th in the GNAC with 2.92 kills per set.

• Senior setter Julia Tays averaged 11.25 assists and 3.25 digs per set. She had double-doubles in both matches, finishing with 34 assists and 15 digs at Seattle Pacific along with 56 assists and 15 digs at MSUB. Tays leads the conference and is 13th in Division II with 11.07 assists per set.

• Simon Fraser leads the GNAC and is 39th in Division II with 13.46 kills per set. Simon Fraser is second in the GNAC and 32nd in Division II with 12.31 assists per set.

• Simon Fraser received 22 votes in this week’s AVCA Division II Coaches Poll and remained at No. 3 in last week’s NCAA West Region Rankings.

• Simon Fraser will close the regular season at Western Washington on Saturday.

WESTERN OREGON
• Western Oregon snapped a three-match win streak on Thursday with a four-set win over Northwest Nazarene before closing its home schedule with a five-set loss to Central Washington on Saturday.

• Freshman middle blocker Bella MacLellan was named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week after she averaged two blocks per set in the two matches. MacLellan had eight blocks to go with three digs against Northwest Nazarene. She then finished with 10 blocks and four kills against Central Washington. MacLellan is averaging 1.01 blocks per set this season.

• Freshman outside hitter Bailee Hartsook led the WOU offense, averaging 3.33 kills per set. She finished with 15 kills, four digs and three blocks in each match, adding three assists against Northwest Nazarene, and finished the week hitting .347. Hartsook is averaging 2.70 kills per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter Isabel Hurliman averaged 2.89 kills and 3.56 digs per set. She posted double-doubles in both matches, finishing with 13 kills and 14 digs against Northwest Nazarene along with 13 kills and 18 digs against Central Washington. Hurliman is eighth in the GNAC with 2.95 kills per set and seventh with 3.47 points per set.

• Western Oregon enters the week averaging 10.90 kills and 15.18 digs per set.

• The Wolves close the 2021 season on the road, traveling to Alaska Anchorage on Thursday and Alaska on Saturday.

WESTERN WASHINGTON
• Western Washington clinched its fourth consecutive GNAC championship last week. The Vikings collected a four-set win over Alaska Anchorage on Monday, a three-set sweep at Montana State Billings on Thursday and a four-set win at Seattle Pacific on Saturday.

• Junior outside hitter Gabby Gunterman was named the GNAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week after averaging 3.55 kills and 4.55 digs per set in the three matches. She had a double-double against Alaska Anchorage, finishing with 13 kills and 21 digs. She then amassed totals of nine kills, 20 digs and four blocks at MSUB along with 17 kills and eight digs at SPU. Gunterman is sixth in the GNAC with 3.16 kills and 3.79 per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter Calley Heilborn averaged 3.18 kills and 4.55 digs per set in the wins. She had double-doubles in all three matches, going for 12 kills, 18 digs and four blocks against UAA; 11 kills and 13 digs at MSUB and 12 kills, 19 digs and five aces at SPU. Heilborn is fifth in the GNAC with 3.28 kills and 3.92 points per set.

• Sophomore setter Malia Aleaga averaged 12.18 assists and 2.09 digs per set over the three matches. She had 44 assists against UAA, 40 assists and eight digs at MSUB and 50 assists, eight digs and five blocks at SPU. Aleaga is second in the GNAC and 18th in Division II with 10.85 assists per set.

• Western Washington leads the GNAC and is 37th in Division II with a .239 hitting percentage. The Vikings lead the conference and are fourth in Division II with 2.68 blocks per set.

• Western Washington moved up to No. 14 in the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll and was No. 2 in last week’s NCAA West Region Rankings.

• The Vikings close the regular season at home on Saturday, hosting Simon Fraser.