Monday, August 22, 2022

PORTLAND, Ore. – Alaska Anchorage was undefeated in their first week returning to the court and didn’t drop a single set in their season-opening road trip to Hawaii, earning the first GNAC Team of the Week Award for the 2022-23 season.

After qualifying for last year’s NCAA Tournament, the Seawolves have started off the 2022 campaign looking to build off that success with a strong opening week. The Seawolves kicked off their season with a 3-0 sweep of Hawaii Pacific where they never trailed the Sharks. Alaska Anchorage was dominant in the match with senior opposite Eve Stephens leading the way with 14 kills and a .542 hitting percentage. Senior setter Ellen Floyd moved the ball well for her teammates, racking up 32 assists while also putting up three service aces and seven digs. As a team, Alaska Anchorage completely out-blocked the Sharks five to zero.

In their second match against Hawaii Hilo, Alaska Anchorage continued to lead the way on the court with a three-set sweep. After taking the first set 25-18, the Seawolves shutdown the Vulcan offense in the second set, taking it 25-8 with an 8-0 run in the early stages of the set and hit for a .450 perecentage. In the final set, the Seawolves took advantage of Hawaii Hilo errors while keeping their own to a minimum to take the frame 25-17. Libero Talia Leauanae led the way for the team in digs with nine while also putting up three service aces.

In Alaska Anchorage’s second match of the day the Seawolves faced No. 25 Chaminade and took their third consecutive three-set sweep to win the match. Stephens led the attack for Alaska Anchorage for the third straight match with 12 kills, one service ace and three blocks. It was another strong showing for Leauanae as well with 11 digs in the match. Sophomore middle blocker Isabel Evans was also effective for the Seawolves on both sides of the ball with a .667 hitting percentage and three blocks.

Seawolves head coach Chris Green was pleased with the way the team executed their offense and kept themselves in contention during long rallies.

“Offensively, we were efficient by limiting our hitting errors,” Green said. “I think our serve receive did a good job in helping with those offensive numbers. Defensively, we kept the ball off the floor well enough, and we won some important long rallies. We will continue to work hard this week preparing for our home tournament.”

As a team, the Seawolves put up 109 kills with an attack percentage of .319 while holding opponents to an attack average of just .061. Stephens paces the team with 36 kills in the first week while Leauanae leads the way in digs with 31.

The 2022 season continues for the Seawolves this week at home in Anchorage with the Seawolf Invitational running Aug. 25 to Aug. 27. before the team moves on to the Nanook Classic in Fairbanks next week from Sept. 1 to 3.