Volleyball | 10/3/2009 7:51:35 PM

Box Score [Box score]

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The seniors stepped up for the Western Oregon volleyball team as it defeated Alaska Fairbanks in five sets, 18-25, 25-21, 25-20, 21-25 and 15-8, Saturday, Oct. 3, to earn a split on the dreaded Alaskan road trip.

The win evened the Wolves' Great Northwest Athletic Conference record at 3-3 and moved their season record to 6-11. With the loss the Nanooks fell to 2-3 in conference and 8-8 for the year.

Senior middle blockers Lisa Martini and Laura Sakala paced the Wolf pack in kills with 12 and 19, respectively. Martini was dominant on the attack throughout the match, registering her 12 kills on just 19 attempts with only one error. She also added a team-high four service aces and 1.5 blocks.

Sakala's 19 kills were a season-high for the GNAC hitting percentage leader. Freshman Danielle Reese also chipped in with 14 assists as the three combined for 45 of the Wolves' 62 kills. Fellow seniors Amy Herron was the one setting up the attacks for WOU and finished with 37 assists while Danielle English had a team-best 18 digs.

"We had great leadership from our seniors," said WOU head coach Brad Saindon. "They had no answer for our middle attackers and Amy (Herron) did a great job getting them the ball.

"The seniors were the difference in this match and they played like seniors today," continued Saindon.

After falling behind one set to zero, WOU responded with a .400 hitting percentage (18-4-35) in the second set to even the match at 1-1. It carried that same offensive momentum into the third set and hit .333 (18-5-39) compared to a .194 clip (10-4-31) for the Nanooks to take a 2-1 set lead. Alaska Fairbanks then came back with a 25-21 fourth set win to force the decisive fifth set.

Martini would not let the Wolves be denied the victory as she opened the set with seven straight serves which included aces for the second and third points. WOU would push its 9-1 and go on to the 15-8 set win and the match victory.

"It is hard to go 2-0 in Alaska and a split is acceptable," continued Saindon. "We are now going to get back in the gym to practice and get better."

The Wolves will continue GNAC play at home next Thursday against Saint Martin's at 7:00 p.m.