The home crowds have been enthusiastic, but UAF athletes have been turning heads outside of Fairbanks as well. 

Two UAF athletes received national attention earlier this month.  Junior April Blandford and freshman Kyle Greentree both received honors from their respective conferences.

Blandford, a middle blocker on the volleyball team, was named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Week for the week ending Oct. 16.

Blandford was honored for her play against Northwest Nazarene and Seattle that weekend.  The Nanooks swept both teams.  In two matches, Blandford had 17 kills, hit 0.457, and added 11 blocks and seven digs.  At the time, she led her team with an amazing 0.99 blocks per game.

"I'm very happy for us, and I'm happy for her," said UAF Head Coach Phil Shoemaker.  "April has worked very hard, and things have really begun to fall into place for her.  She had a fantastic weekend, and I think she's capable of continuing to play at that level."

The same week, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association honored Greentree, named Greentree Rookie of the Week.

The left wing helped his team achieve their 5-3 win against Western Michigan Oct. 16 with three goals and an assist in the series. 

"There's good news with Kyle and then there's better news," said Head Coach Tavis MacMillan.  "He's a good hockey player not only because of his skill level but his commitment to get better in all facets of the game."

Greentree is a native of Victoria, British Columbia.  Blandford hails from Valdez.

April Blandford

Kyle Greentree

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