Sophomore Emily Powell (Puyallup, Wash.) broke the Seattle University record for total blocks in a match with 12 and Nikole Thompson (Marysville, Wash.) earned 21 kills to help the Redhawks defeat Alaska Fairbanks, 3-2 (26-30, 30-19, 30-25, 25-30, 15-5) Saturday night in GNAC volleyball action at the Patty Center.
Seattle University did not make an error in the deciding fifth game, scoring six of the first seven points thanks in part to four Nanook attack errors. Thompson earned three of Seattle’s six fifth game kills, including the match-ending kill that allowed the Redhawks to win its first five-game match of the season after five previous unsuccessful attempts, including three in a row to start the conference season.
Powell earned three blocks in the first game as Seattle took an 18-11 lead before Alaska Fairbanks started its comeback. The Redhawks still held a 23-19 lead, but the Nanooks went on an 11-3 run to win the first game and take the early match lead. Seattle stormed back, earning seven of the first eight points in the second game and cruising to the game two victory to tie the match 1-1.
A kill and an ace by Powell enabled Seattle to go on top 20-13 in game three, but the Nanooks came back to tie the game 22-22. The Redhawks won the next four points on their way to taking the match lead 2-1, but the Nanooks, down 22-17 in game four after back-to-back Seattle blocks, went on a 6-0 run to take the game four lead, and then scored six unanswered points to win game four and force the deciding fifth game.
Besides her 12 block assists, Powell also earned 11 kills, two service aces, and seven digs in the match. In addition to her 21 kills, Thompson notched ten digs and five block assists, while Libby Graff (Beaverton, Ore.) contributed 12 kills and six total blocks. Jamie Mellies (Henderson, Nev.) again ran a successful offense, finishing the night with 55 assists, 11 digs, and five total blocks.
In her first major action since becoming eligible to play, sophomore transfer Kelly Benson (California) contributed eight kills off the bench, including two in the fifth game. Shelly Anderson (Bothell, Wash.) led the Redhawks defensively with 22 digs, with Heather Gerke (Prineville, Ore.) earning 17 digs and Donnelle Nicaise (Enumclaw, Wash.) adding 15 defensive digs to the winning effort.
For Alaska Fairbanks (7-6, 1-4 GNAC), Megan Thigpen had 20 kills, while Jessica Hill contributed 12 kills and six total blocks. Korlyn Bolster notched 11 kills and six total blocks with only one attack error, and Alexa Sherman picked up 54 assists and 20 defensive digs. Miranda Trudeau led all players with 25 defensive digs for the Nanooks.
Seattle set new team records for most block assists in a match (32) and most team blocks in a match (17.0). The Redhawks’ serve reception was almost flawless, allowing only one Nanook service ace as Seattle swept the Alaska road trip for only the second time in seven seasons.
Seattle University (6-8, 3-3 GNAC) returns home for a three-match homestand, beginning Thursday, Sept. 27, against Central Washington at 7 p.m. at the Connolly Center. The Redhawks will also face Western Washington (Sept. 29) and Montana State Billings (Oct. 6) during that homestand.