Amongst a throng of cheering fans, the Nanook volleyball team won Saturday's much-heated match up versus archrival UAA, 3-1.

"I think it mirrored the season," said coach Phil Shoemaker, admitting that the match showed both the teams strengths and weaknesses.

Game one started off the match with previously seen muddled point-for-point plays. But the 'Nooks pulled ahead at 20-20, scoring four quick points for 24-20 and ending the game in a win 30-24.

Game two saw the best of the 'Nooks as they dominated the Seawolves 30-13 with clean kills and beautiful saves. However, in game three the Seawolves bit back under-dogging from 19-11 to a tie of 25-25 and ending in a tight 28-30 lose for the 'Nooks forcing a game four.

The 'Nooks managed to stay just a point or two ahead of the 'Wolves until 25-23 where they really pulled through to end game four 30-24 and win the match.

"Fairbanks played great," said UAA coach Michelle Earl.

Fighting hard for the 'Nook offense was split among five players including Megan Thigpen with 15 kills, Jenna Jones with 11 kills, Katrina Jensen with 10 kills, Jessica Hill with 9 kills and Korlyn Bolster providing an additional 8 kills.

Making additional appearances on defense were both Thigpen with 17 digs and Jones with 16 digs.

And the ever-steady Alexa Sherman provided help with 46 assists.

On the Seawolves side, Kim Stolk dominated offense with 12 kills and a .300 ratio. Defense was split three-ways by Rachael Knecht with 12 digs, Tehane Kahalehau with 11 digs and Cristal Negron with 10 digs.Kahalehau also played setter giving the 'Wolves 38 assist.

Attendance numbers were shattered Saturday with a season record of 584 hollering people in the stands thanks in part to free admission.

Three particular fans, junior business marketing major Jonathan Bradka, junior geological engineering major Alec Venechuk and physics graduate student Weston Howe, dressed up for the occasion in bright neon 80's workout clothing and performed a variety of stunts and routines much to the audiences delight.

Saturday was also senior night for Katrina Jensen, who played for the 'Nooks for two years.

Going out with a bang, Jensen had a great night of 10 kills and a .316 ratio, five blocks and 13.5 points average for the team.

"I'm going to miss the idea that I represent the school," Jensen said.

Jensen said she'd also miss the team.

"They're a great group of girls," she said.

Shoemaker was also sad to see Jensen go.

"Katrina is a really valued team member," he said. "She's someone you never have to worry about."

Jensen is pursuing a degree in child development and family studies and hopes to be a pre-school teacher. Jensen said she'll definitely be around next season for every home game cheering on the 'Nooks. Now that the season is over, Shoemaker said the volleyball team's focus until January is to heal and provide a little break for the team.

However, he said this doesn't mean their taking time off and that the team will be working out up to four times a week. Regular team practice will start back up in February.

Asked if he had any new plans for next season Shoemaker replied, no, he didn't.

"It's a process of continually getting better," Shoemaker said.