ANCHORAGE/FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Following another home week in which the Western Oregon University volleyball team was able to pick up a victory, the Wolves will travel to Alaska this week to close the regular season against Alaska Anchorage on Thursday starting at 8 p.m. (Pacific) and then on Saturday against Alaska Fairbanks starting at 3 p.m. (Pacific).
WOU (4-19, 2-14 GNAC) claimed the 3-1 win at home over Northwest Nazarene and then came close in a five-set battle with Central Washington on Saturday for Senior Night.
It was a big week for Bella MacLellan who was named GNAC Defensive Player of the Week following her 18-block effort in the two matches.
It's been awhile since WOU saw both of the Alaska schools with the team last playing in the conference openers back on Sep. 16 and Sep. 18 in Monmouth. The Wolves played Alaska Fairbanks first that week, falling 3-0 and then closed against Alaska Anchorage with the Seawolves also taking a 3-0 victory. WOU pushed the Nanooks to a 26-24 second set and then had a 25-22 third set against the Seawolves.
Entering the week, WOU has accumulated 948 kills, 882 assists, 125 service aces, 1,321 digs and 163.5 blocks. Opponents have 1,153 kills, 1,056 assists, 130 service aces, 1,471 digs and 166 blocks.
Isabel Hurliman leads the team in points (301.5), kills (257), second in digs (246), and third in blocks (36) while playing all 87 sets this season. Bailee Hartsook is second in points with 197.5, second in kills with 181, fifth in digs with 88 and also adds 28 blocks. Lauren Smith rounds out the three that have over 100 points sitting at 153.5. She has 133 kills, 53 digs and is fourth in blocks with 33. Aubrey Stanton sets up the offense with 440 assists and Laney O'Neil adds 292. Stanton also leads the team in service aces with 27, while Hurliman adds 26. Sophie Matlock, like Hurliman, has played all 87 sets this year and leads the team in digs with 365. Following her big week, MacLellan leads the team in blocks with 68.
Individually, WOU has several players ranked in the top-10 in the GNAC including: Stanton is ninth in service aces per set (0.34), ninth in assists per set (5.57) and ninth in total assists (440). Hurliman is eighth in kills per set (2.95), seventh in points per set (3.47), and 10th in total kills (257). MacLellan ranks 10th in blocks per set (1.01). Matlock is sixth in digs per set (4.20).
The Wolves will face Alaska Anchorage first on Thursday night. The Seawolves are 17-11 overall and 10-6 in GNAC play, currently on a three-game losing streak. At home this year, UAA is 8-3. This past weekend, UAA traveled just up north to face Alaska Fairbanks and the Nanooks took the 3-1 win. Before that trip, UAA started a three-match road trip in five days defeating Northwest Nazarene (3-1), falling to Central Washington (3-0) and falling to Western Washington (3-1).
On the season, the Seawolves have 1,263 kills, 1,173 assists, 204 service aces, 1,483 digs and 215.5 blocks. Opponents have 1,124 kills, 1,023 assists, 203 service aces, 1,457 digs and 178 blocks.
Eve Stephens leads the team with 466.5 points, tallying 385 kills, 238 digs and 79 blocks. Lisa Jaunet has 259.5 points with 242 kills and 28 blocks. Mahala Kaapuni is at 230.5 points, with 204 kills, 77 digs and 24 blocks. Rounding out the four that have over 200 points is Vera Pluharova sitting at 253, with 185 kills and 108 blocks. Ellen Floyd sets up the offense with 1,004 assists and Talia Leauanae has a team-high 374 digs.
To close the week, WOU will face Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday afternoon. The Nanooks are 16-12 overall and 9-7 in GNAC play, currently riding a two-game winning streak and are 9-2 at home. Prior to the four-set home win over Alaska Anchorage, the Nanooks swept Northwest Nazarene on the road and lost in straight sets at Central Washington.
On the season, Alaska Fairbanks has 1,291 kills, 1,187 assists, 178 service aces, 1,643 digs and 258.5 blocks. Opponents have 1,222 kills, 1,143 assists, 118 service aces, 1,605 digs and 247.5 blocks.
AveRee Reynolds has a team-best 324 points, tallying 270 kills and 94 blocks. Sophie Schilling has 292.5 points with 214 kills and 109 blocks. Lahra Weber has 255 points, recording 205 kills, 192 digs and 34 blocks. Rilee White gives the team four with over 200 points sitting at 252.5, collecting 202 kills, 200 digs and 31 blocks.
Live video and stats will be available for both matches.
For Alaska Anchorage: Live video can be found here and live stats can be found here
For Alaska Fairbanks: Live video can be found here and live stats can be found here
