Tuesday, October 25, 2022

A PAIR OF LOSSES, BUT NO MOVEMENT IN THE POLLS: Both GNAC teams that are ranked in the AVCA Division II Coaches Poll took losses last week but the setbacks did nothing to affect their place in the rankings.

Alaska Anchorage was stunned by a four-set loss at Simon Fraser on Saturday with the Red Leafs coming together to have four players finish with double-figure kills. The loss ended the Seawolves’ 13-match win streak and was the team’s first conference loss of the season.

The effort to beat Alaska Anchorage, along with a three-set sweep of Alaska on Saturday, earned Simon Fraser selection as the GNAC Team of the Week.

The Seawolves did not wait to rebound, scoring a four-set win at Western Washington on Saturday in the second showdown of the season between the two ranked programs. The visitors surged to hit .308 as a team but had only one player finish with double-digit kills.

That player was senior right-side hitter Eve Stephens, who set a GNAC record for kills in a four-set match with 33. She surpassed the previous record of 32 set by Alyssa Given of Seattle Pacific against Western Washington on Nov. 2, 2006. Stephens also finished with nine digs, three assists, two blocks and an ace.

For the week, Stephens finished with impressive averages of 6.88 kills, 2.88 digs, 0.62 blocks and 0.25 aces per set with a .414 hitting percentage. The performance earned Stephens her fifth GNAC Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week award of the season and her sixth overall GNAC Player of the Week award for the year. She was also named the AVCA Division II Player of the Week for the second time this season.

The losses did nothing to drop the teams in the AVCA Division II Coaches Poll. Alaska Anchorage is at No. 9 for the third straight week while Western Washington is No. 10 for the second straight week.

With three weeks remaining in the regular season, GNAC teams are starting to jockey for positions in the NCAA West Region Rankings, which will determine which teams advance to the postseason. The first regional rankings will be released on Wednesday.

THIS WEEK'S GNAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE
Eve Stephens, Alaska Anchorage
RS • 6-1 • Senior • Palmer, Alaska

Stephens averaged 6.88 kills, 2.88 digs, 0.62 blocks and 0.25 aces per set in the Seawolves’ 1-1 week. Stephens led the Seawolves with 22 kills, 14 digs, three blocks, two assists and an ace in the four-set loss at Simon Fraser. She then finished with 33 kills in Saturday’s four-set win over No. 10 Western Washington, setting a GNAC record for kills in a four-set match. She also had nine digs, two blocks, three assists and an ace in the victory.

Also Nominated: Ella Bines (Alaska), Paiten Langston (Montana State Billings), Natalie Sullivan (Northwest Nazarene), Brooke Dexter (Simon Fraser), Laney O’Neil (Western Oregon), Calley Heilborn (Western Washington).

DEFENSIVE
Allison Wilks, Seattle Pacific
MB • 6-1 • Junior • Bothell, Wash.

Wilks averaged 1.89 blocks per set to go with 1.56 kills per set to lead Seattle Pacific to a 1-1 week. On Thursday, Wilks finished with 10 blocks to go with five kills, four digs and an ace in a five-set victory over Central Washington. She added totals of seven blocks, nine kills, one dig and one ace in Saturday’s four-set loss to Northwest Nazarene.  

Also Nominated: Elizabeth Jackson (Alaska), Talia Leauanae (Alaska Anchorage), Emma Daoud-Hebert (Central Washington), Kennedy Juranek (Montana State Billings), Olivia Wright (Northwest Nazarene), Jennifer Soha (Saint Martin’s), Abby Willett (Simon Fraser), Chloe Roetcisoender (Western Washington).

AROUND THE GNAC
ALASKA
• Alaska dropped both matches on its road trip last week, falling in three sets to Western Washington on Thursday and Simon Fraser on Saturday.

• Sophomore outside hitter Karli Nielson led the Nanooks, averaging three kills per set. After a quiet six-kill performance at Western Washington, Nielson led UAF with 12 kills, three digs and two blocks at Simon Fraser. Nielson ranks eighth in the GNAC with 2.74 kills per set and 10th with 3.30 points per set.

• Freshman right-side hitter Ella Bines averaged 2.67 kills per set. She led the Nanooks with 10 kills and a .562 hitting percentage at Western Washington. Bines then added six kills, two digs and two blocks at Simon Fraser. Bines has played in 25 matches with nine starts and is averaging 1.98 kills per set.

• Senior libero Jessa Long averaged 3.67 digs per set. She posted nine digs with an assist at Western Washington before coming up with 13 digs and four assists at Simon Fraser. Long leads the GNAC with an average of 4.62 digs per set.

• Alaska enters the week averaging 12.30 kills and 13.86 digs per set. The Nanooks rank second in the GNAC and 13th in Division II with 2.43 blocks per set while also ranking second in the GNAC and 38th in Division II with 2.10 aces per set. Individually, sophomore middle blocker Elizabeth Jackson ranks fourth in Division II with 109 total blocks.

• The Nanooks play just once this week, traveling to Alaska Anchorage on Saturday.

ALASKA ANCHORAGE
• Alaska Anchorage saw its 13-match win streak come to an end with a four-set loss at Simon Fraser on Thursday. The Seawolves rebounded on Saturday with a four-set win at No. 10 Western Washington.

• Senior right-side hitter Eve Stephens earned her fifth GNAC Offensive Player of the Week award and second AVCA Division II Player of the Week award after she averaged 6.88 kills, 2.88 digs, 0.62 blocks and 0.25 aces per set with a .414 hitting percentage. Stephens led the Seawolves with 22 kills, 12 digs, three blocks and two assists at Simon Fraser. She then set a GNAC record for kills in a four-set match with 33 at Western Washington to go with nine digs, two blocks and three assists. Stephens ranks second in Division II with 5.73 points per set, 4.70 kills per set and 21st with 0.57 aces per set, leading the GNAC in all three categories.

• Senior outside hitter Lisa Januet averaged 2.50 kills per set. Jaunet finished with 11 kills, two digs and a block at Simon Fraser. She then added nine kills with two digs and two blocks at Western Washington. Jaunet ranks sixth in the GNAC with 2.98 kills per set.

• Senior libero Talia Leauanae averaged 4.88 digs per set and was 23 of 24 on serve receptions. Leauanae finished with 14 digs, three assists and two aces at Simon Fraser and added 25 digs, three assists and an ace at Western Washington. Leauanae is fifth in the GNAC with 3.87 digs per set.

• Alaska Anchorage leads the GNAC and ranks sixth in Division II with a .286 hitting percentage. The Seawolves rank second in the GNAC and 49th in Division II with 13.20 kills per set. They also lead the GNAC and rank 12th in Division II with 2.33 aces per set.

• For the third straight week, Alaska Anchorage is ranked ninth in the AVCA Division II Coaches Poll.

• Alaska Anchorage plays just once this week, hosting up-state rival Alaska on Saturday.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON
• Central Washington split a pair of five-set matches last week, falling at Seattle Pacific on Thursday and beating Montana State Billings on Saturday.

• Junior outside hitter Ashley Kaufman once again led the Wildcats offensively, averaging 2.70 kills, 2.70 digs, 0.70 aces and 0.70 blocks per set, registering double-doubles in both matches. She came up with 13 kills, 11 digs, three blocks and two aces at Seattle Pacific. She added a performance of 14 kills, 16 digs, four blocks and five aces at Montana State Billings. Kaufman ranks fifth in the GNAC with 3.07 kills and 3.61 points per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter Kylie Thorne averaged 2.50 kills and 2.80 digs per set. She also had a double-double in both matches, finishing with 14 kills and 12 digs with two aces and a block at Seattle Pacific along with 11 kills and 16 digs at Montana State Billings. Thorne enters the week averaging 2.11 kills and 2.27 digs per set.

• Sophomore middle blocker Emma Daoud-Hebert registered 1.60 blocks and 2.40 kills per set. She just missed a double-double with 10 kills and nine blocks at Seattle Pacific and added a performance of 14 kills and seven blocks at Montana State Billings. Daoud-Hebert leads the conference and is second in Division II with 1.46 blocks per set. She leads Division II with 118 total blocks.

• Central Washington is third in the GNAC with 12.75 kills per set and averages 13.57 digs per set. The Wildcats lead the conference and rank ninth in Division II with 2.52 blocks per set.

• Central Washington did not receive any votes in this week’s AVCA Division II Coaches Poll, marking the first time this season that the Wildcats were not listed.

• The Wildcats will close the season with four of five matches at home, beginning with matches against Simon Fraser on Thursday and Western Washington on Saturday.

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
• Montana State Billings dropped all three of its matches last week. After a four-set non-conference loss to Rocky Mountain on Tuesday, the Yellowjackets fell in three sets to Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and in five sets to Central Washington on Saturday.

• Freshman outside hitter Caty Havekost led the Yellowjackets offensively, averaging 2.58 kills and 0.50 blocks per set. At Rocky Mountain, Havekost led the way with 15 kills, three digs and two blocks. She closed the week with 12 kills and three blocks against Central Washington. Havekost leads MSUB on the season with 2.69 kills per set.

• Junior outside hitter Jahsita Fa’ali’i averaged 2.17 kills, 2.17 digs and 0.50 blocks per set. Fa’ali’i opened the week with 10 kills, six digs and three blocks at Rocky Mountain. She added eight kills against both NNU and CWU, which included 15 digs and two blocks against the Wildcats. Fa’ali’i is averaging 2.46 kills and 2.45 digs per set.

• Junior middle blocker Paiten Langston averaged 1.92 kills and 1.08 blocks per set across the three matches. Her week included eight kills and four blocks at Rocky Mountain along with nine kills and eight blocks against Central Washington. Langston is averaging 1.72 kills and 0.86 blocks per set for the season.

• Montana State Billings enters the week averaging 10.95 kills per set and is third in the conference with 14.69 digs per set.

• After playing six of their last nine matches in Billings, MSUB takes to the road this week to face Western Oregon on Thursday and Saint Martin’s on Saturday.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE
• Northwest Nazarene has won four matches in a row after scoring a three-set win at Montana State Billings on Thursday and a four-set win at Seattle Pacific on Saturday.

• Senior outside hitter Natalie Sullivan led the Nighthawks once again. averaging four kills and 3.43 digs per set with a .390 hitting percentage. She finished with double-doubles in both matches, coming up with 15 kills and 14 digs at Montana State Billings along with 13 kills and 10 digs at Seattle Pacific. Sullivan is second in the GNAC with 3.65 kills per set and third with 4.11 points per set.

• Senior middle blocker Olivia Wright averaged 3.29 kills and 1.71 blocks per set in the two victories. She opened with 13 kills and three blocks at Montana State Billings before registering totals of 10 kills and nine blocks at Seattle Pacific. Wright ranks third in the GNAC with 3.50 kills per set and is second with 4.11 points per set.

• Senior setter Mckenzie Lee averaged 10.71 assists. 1.86 digs and 1.29 blocks per set. Her week included 37 assists, five digs and four blocks at Montana State Billings. She then added totals of 38 assists, eight digs, five kills and five blocks at Seattle Pacific. Lee leads the GNAC and is 18th in Division II with 10.78 assists per set.

• Northwest Nazarene leads the GNAC and is 47th in Division II with 13.22 kills per set. The Nighthawks are second in the conference and 32nd in Division II with a .242 hitting percentage and 31st in Division II with a .147 opponent hitting percentage.

• Northwest Nazarene closes its 2022 home schedule this weekend, hosting Western Washington on Thursday and Simon Fraser on Saturday.

SAINT MARTIN’S
• Saint Martin’s dropped its lone match on the week, taking a four-set loss at Western Oregon on Saturday.

• Sophomore middle blocker Jennifer Soha led the Saints in the loss with a double-double of 15 kills and 10 blocks with a .419 hitting percentage. Soha enters the week averaging two kills and 0.78 blocks per set.

• Sophomore middle blocker Maddy Gooding and freshman outside hitter Emmy Hansen both finished with nine kills, three digs and four blocks in the loss. Gooding finished with a .368 hitting percentage, committing just two errors on 19 attempts. Gooding is averaging 1.79 kills per set while Hansen is averaging 2.10 kills per set.

• Freshman middle blocker Loredana Fouonji also finished with nine kills while adding three blocks and a dig. Fouonji enters the week averaging 1.98 kills and 0.78 blocks per set.

• Saint Martin’s enters the week averaging 11.55 kills per set. The Saints rank fourth in the conference with 14.13 digs and 1.72 aces per set.

• The Saints finish the season by playing four of six matches at home. The home matches begin this week against Seattle Pacific on Thursday and Montana State Billings on Saturday.

SEATTLE PACIFIC
• Seattle Pacific procured a split of its home matches last, week, scoring a five-set win over Central Washington on Thursday before taking a four-set loss to Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.

• Junior middle blocker Allison Wilks was named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week after she averaged 1.89 blocks and 1.56 kills per set in the two matches. Wilks finished with 10 blocks to go with five kills, four digs and an ace against Central Washington. She added totals of seven blocks, nine kills, one dig and one ace against Northwest Nazarene. Wilks is averaging 1.23 kills per set and ranks seventh in Division II with 1.01 blocks per set.

• Junior opposite Maddie Pruden led the SPU offense, averaging 2.11 kills and 0.67 blocks per set. Pruden finished with nine kills, five blocks and four digs against Central Washington. She then added 10 kills, one dig and one block against Northwest Nazarene. Pruden enters the week averaging 2.05 kills and 0.59 blocks per set.

• Junior outside hitter/opposite Sydney Perry finished with an average of 1.89 kills per set. Her week included 11 kills, two digs and three blocks against Central Washington along with seven kills, two digs, a block and an ace against Northwest Nazarene. Perry is averaging 1.37 kills per set on the season.

• Seattle Pacific enters the week averaging 11.23 kills and 13.04 digs per set.

• The Falcons take to the road this week to face Saint Martin’s on Thursday and Western Oregon on Saturday.

SIMON FRASER
• It was a big week for Simon Fraser, ending No. 9 Alaska Anchorage’s 13-match win streak with a four-set win on Thursday before beating Alaska in three sets on Saturday.

• For its upset of the Seawolves and its solid performance in both matches, the Red Leafs were selected as the GNAC Team of the Week.

• Sophomore outside hitter Brooke Dexter led the Red Leafs with averages of 3.57 kills, 2.43 digs, 0.57 aces and 1.43 blocks per set. Dexter led SFU with 12 kills, 10 digs, five blocks and three aces in the upset of Alaska Anchorage. She finished the week with 13 kills, seven digs, five blocks and an ace against Alaska. Dexter is seventh in the GNAC with 2.94 kills per set and sixth with 3.52 points per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter Jocelyn Sherman averaged 3.14 kills, 3.43 digs and 0.86 blocks per set in the two wins. She finished with double-doubles in both matches. Sherman registered 12 kills and 14 digs with six aces and a block against Alaska Anchorage. She added 10 kills, 10 digs and two blocks against Alaska. Sherman enters the week averaging 2.54 kills and 2.35 digs per set. She is 10th in the GNAC with 0.37 aces per set.

• Junior middle blocker Kalyn Hartmann averaged 2.86 kills and 0.86 blocks per set. She contributed 13 kills and three blocks with a .440 hitting percentage against Alaska Anchorage before adding seven kills, three digs, three blocks and a .636 hitting percentage against Alaska. Hartmann is averaging 1.71 kills per set and is ninth in the GNAC with 0.98 blocks per set.

• Simon Fraser enters the week averaging 11.55 kills and 14.02 digs per set.

• Simon Fraser hits the road for two matches this week, playing at Central Washington on Thursday and at Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.

WESTERN OREGON
• Western Oregon was a winner in its only match of the week, scoring a four-set victory over Saint Martin’s on Saturday.

• Sophomore outside hitter Madison Hornback led the Wolves with a double-double of 12 kills and 17 digs. She also had two blocks, an assist and an ace. Hornback is averaging 2.47 kills, 2.72 digs and 0.32 aces per set on the season.

• Sophomore outside hitter Bella MacLellan finished with 11 kills, three digs and four blocks in the victory. She enters the week averaging 1.37 kills and 0.60 blocks per set.

• Sophomore outside hitter Bailee Hartsook added totals of 10 kills, five digs, two blocks and an ace. Hartsook is averaging 2.45 kills per set on the season.

• Western Oregon enters the week ranked fifth in the GNAC with 12.45 kills per set and is also averaging 13.95 digs per set.

• The Wolves will play four of its final six matches at home. They are home this week with matches against Montana State Billings on Thursday and Seattle Pacific on Friday.

WESTERN WASHINGTON
• Western Washington opened the week with a three-set sweep of Alaska on Thursday before seeing its seven-match win streak end with a four-set loss to Alaska Anchorage on Saturday in a battle between nationally-ranked foes.

• Senior outside hitter Calley Heilborn led the Vikings in the two matches, averaging 3.57 kills and 1.86 digs per set. Heilborn opened with a 13-kill, five-dig performance against Alaska with two aces and a block. She helped keep WWU in the match with Alaska Anchorage with totals of 12 kills, eight digs, two blocks, three assists and two aces. Heilborn ranks ninth in the GNAC with 2.73 kills per set and is 10th with 3.12 digs per set. She is the only player to rank in the top 10 in both kills and digs.

• Senior middle blocker Chloe Roetcisoender averaged 2.57 kills and 1.57 blocks per set. She posted totals of 10 kills and eight blocks with a .692 hitting percentage against Alaska and added eight kills and three blocks against Alaska Anchorage. Roetcisoender enters the week averaging 2.55 kills per set. She is second in the GNAC and sixth in Division II with 1.30 blocks per set.

• Senior setter Malia Aleaga averaged 9.71 assists, 1.86 digs and 0.71 blocks per set last week. She finished with 32 assists, three digs and three blocks against Alaska. Aleaga then had a double-double of 36 assists and 10 digs with two blocks and two aces against Alaska Anchorage. Aleaga is third in the GNAC with 10.11 digs per set.

• Western Washington enters the week fourth in the GNAC with 12.70 kills per set and fifth with 14.04 digs per set. The Vikings are 16th in Division II with 2.38 blocks per set and 49th with a .230 hitting percentage, ranking third in the conference in both categories.

• Despite the loss, Western Washington retained its No. 10 spot in this week’s AVCA Division II Coaches Poll.

• Western Washington takes to the road this week for matches at Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and Central Washington on Saturday.