The Nanook volleyball team tore up the competition last week, defeating Saint Martin's 3-0 on and Western Oregon 3-2.

"This is your chance to really step it up and put it on," head coach Phil Shoemaker told his team moments before they stepped out onto the court on Thursday.

And they did, pulling off a closeout match against the Saints 30-18, 30-23 and 30-26.

Saint Martin's played a sloppy first game allowing the 'Nooks to lead by seven points for almost the entire duration of the game.

The second game wasn't much better for the Saints, so much so that an upset Saint's head coach Phil Ibarra received a yellow card for arguing with the line judge.

By the third game, the 'Nooks were just pawing their prey with some very aggressive low serves.

Notable players for the 'Nooks included sophomore Korlyn Bolster on offense bringing the pain with 12 kills and a .667 kill ratio.

Freshman Megan Thigpen also served up some great offense and defense with 11 kills, a .524 kill ratio and 12 digs.

Bringing up the rear defense was Miranda Trudeau with 19 digs.

And the ever-reliable freshman Alexa Sherman helped out her team with 34 assists.

Shoemaker commented in a surprisingly serious manner.

"It was good," he said. "It was what was supposed to happen."

As to the amount of somewhat successful low serves, Shoemaker said, "We felt like we haven't been aggressive enough and to push the edge of that envelope you have to let your players grow."

Saturday's match versus the Western Oregon Wolves was a whole other matter.

With point for point games of 25-30, 32-30, 30-25, 29-31 and 15-11, the 'Nooks didn't practice any growing and instead concentrated excellent game fundamentals.

In a heated first game the 'Nooks trailed to the second time-out of 21-21, only to let the Wolves slip by with a win.

After an initial lead, the second game became a brutal point for point match with time-outs at 12-12, 24-23 and 27-26. Ultimately, the 'Nooks won 32-30.

Third game was a bit more relaxed with an initial lead and then a come back at the half to win with 30-25

By the fourth game the wolves seemed rattled and knew they had to pour it on barely pulling out a win to tie up the match 2-2.

In the fifth game it was a point for point match until the 'Nooks began smoking them at 11-9 to finish 15-11.

Offense was split among five players, including Katrina Jensen, Bolster, Jessica Hill, Jenna Jones and Thigpen. Junior Jenna Jones managed to edge out her teammates with 16 kills.

Thigpen had 14 kills, 53 attempts and the highest defense of 27 digs.

Defense likewise was split among five players. But Thigpen easily trumped her teammates with 27 digs.

Sophomore Sedra Zlock had 31 assists. Sherman had 20.

"In terms of heart and effort, I felt that Sedra and Jenna Jones really had it," Shoemaker said.

On the Wolves side offense was tied between hard-hitting junior Shakira Jenkins and sophomore Katrina Johnson each bringing 21 attacks.

Defense was a little more evenly split but Claire Carpenter easily led with 30 digs. Amy Herron made an impressive 60 assists.

After this weekend's winning streak, the Alaska Nanooks are now in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, a great gain from their previous seventh place standing.