Sometimes the road just isn't that friendly.
The Nanook volleyball team got pounded in Washington this week, losing 0-3 to Seattle Pacific on Thursday and 0-3 to Central Washington on Saturday.
On Thursday, the Nanooks lost 26-30,10-30,25-30 to the Falcons. Game two saw an embarrassing 12 attack errors by the Nanooks and only four kills. The Falcons, meanwhile, notched up a .478 attack percentage to defeat Alaska 30-10.
The Nanooks put up more of a fight in the third game, and came close to evening out the score after kills by sophomore middle hitter Korlyn Bolster and junior outside hitter Jessica King brought the 'Nooks to 6-7. But the Falcons flew in for the 30-25 kill.
Sophomore libero Miranda Trudeau led the team defensively with 10 digs. Freshman Jessica Hill fought for seven kills, with senior Katrina Jensen following closely with six. For the Falcons, senior outside hitter Shelby Gihring pounded in the points with 20 kills. Sophomore libero Torii Mount made 13 digs.
Saturday saw the Nanooks stomped by Central Washington. Despite a team-high nine kills by UAF senior Katrina Jensen and six kills by freshman Jessica Hill, Alaska lost 30-17, 30-21, 30-16.
The Nanooks started the match with a short-lived 2-1 lead after Jensen knocked across the first kill and junior outside hitter Stephanie Powell suffered an attack error. But Alaska had to kiss its chances of winning good-bye as the Wildcats pounced back, winning 30-17.
In game two, the Nanooks trailed most of the match and found itself the loser, 21-30. Game three wasn't much better.
Player stats for the game are nearly all in the single digits. Jensen led offensively with nine kills. Thigpen had nine digs.
On Central Washington's side, sophomore Rachael Schurman scored 13 kills, while junior outside hitter Erika Stevens made 17 digs.
Alaska now drops to 6-15 for the season and 5-9 in conference play. To date, the 'Nooks have a 1-7 away record. In its previous match-ups against, Alaska lost 1-3 to Central Washington and 0-3 to Seattle Pacific.
The Nanooks wrap-up their three-game road trip at on Tuesday in Idaho to face Northwest Nazarene.
