The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team secured at least a share of its first Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship in program history with a commanding victory over Montana State Billings on Saturday. The win caps a successful regular season for the Nanooks, who finished with a 23-5 overall record adn a 14-4 GNAC mark, earning them the conference’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA West Regional Championships. details of the match and the team’s postseason outlook follow.
FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team clinched a share of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship title with a decisive 3-0 victory over Montana State Billings on Saturday, November 22. The Nanooks finished the regular season with a 23-5 overall record and a 14-4 mark in conference play, tying them with three other teams atop the GNAC standings.
How it Happened
Alaska dominated the first set, taking it 25-18. The Nanooks registered 11 kills against just seven for the Yellow Jackets, while holding MSUB to a .000 hitting percentage. The second set was even more lopsided, with Alaska racing to a 25-12 win. A strong offensive performance saw the Nanooks record a .357 swing percentage with 12 kills, while Montana State Billings struggled with a -.194 hitting percentage and only four kills.
The Nanooks completed the sweep with a 25-17 victory in the third set. Montana State Billings had its most productive offensive set of the night, posting 11 kills, but Alaska remained efficient, adding another 12 kills to secure the match. This decisive win solidifies their position as a top contender heading into the postseason.
Inside the Numbers
- Alaska controlled the match statistically, leading in points (57-32), kills (35-22), aces (9-4), blocks (13-6), assists (34-22), and digs (44-40).
- Elena Guc spearheaded the Nanooks’ attack with eight kills, a .227 hitting percentage, and a remarkable 10 block assists, adding two digs.
- Elizabeth Jackson contributed nine kills with a .556 hitting percentage, along with five digs, an ace, and an assist.
- Cynphany and Mikala Henderson each added six kills to the Nanooks’ offensive arsenal. Cynphany also tallied nine assists, seven digs, and two blocks, while Mikala finished with two digs and one block.
What’s to Come
The Nanooks have earned the GNAC’s automatic qualifier for the 2025 NCAA West Regional Championships. The selection show will be held on Monday, November 24 at 3:30 p.m. AKST and can be viewed on NCAA.com. Alaska will learn their opponent and the location of the regional tournament, which will take place December 4-7.
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