The Nanook volleyball team had a split weekend at home. On Thursday they swept the St. Martins Saints in three games and suffered a loss Saturday against Western Oregon.

The Nanooks set out the keep the Saints winless on Thursday and were off to a good start taking the first game 30-23. Middle hitter, Korlyn Bolster, had a perfect game with a 1.000 hitting percentage, and both she and Megan Thigpen scored five kills.

Keeping the momentum on their side the Nanooks never trailed in the second game on their way to a nearly flawless 30-12 win.

Knowing victory was in their grasp, the ‘Nooks came into the third game strong. The Saints tried to overcome them but with so many Alaska players having outstanding games, they just couldn’t do it. The Nanooks took the game 30-24. Megan Thigpen had a match-high 19 digs and 14 kills to help seal their victory, while Korlyn Bolster had an excellent game with 13 kills and a .929 hitting percentage tying the all-time GNAC mark. “I was just connecting with my setter all night,” said Bolster in a press release. “We were getting great passes and great digs the whole game. I was able to just see the block really well.”

Senior Jenna Jones also had a great game racking up five service aces.

With their win over the Saints the Nooks move to 9-7 on the season.

On Saturday Alaska got off to a rough start against Western Oregon. The Wolves took an early lead and held onto it the rest of the game taking the win 30-18.

The Nanooks were ready the second game and came out strong, keeping the score close, and keeping many rallies going. With the score tied at nine Megan Thigpen served an ace to take the lead. Oregon fought back and the game stayed close right up until the end. Tied at 28 Oregon managed to score the final two crucial points to take the game 30-28.

The Nanooks fought hard in the third game knowing it was their last chance, but couldn’t manage to overcome the Wolves who took the game 30-26.

“It was fun,” said Claire Carpenter. “We knew they would be a hard team to beat. We just needed to play hard and stay consistent.”

Despite their loss Megan Thigpen managed a double-double of team highs with 15 kills and 13 digs. Korlyn Bolster also had nine kills.

“It’s very, very frustrating,” said head coach Phil Shoemaker in a press release. “Obviously, Western Oregon played really good: they are efficient in their attack and a very strong defensive team. But there’s not a team on our schedule that we can’t play with: we just need to improve, to learn, and become more consistent.”

With this loss the Nooks fall to 9-8 overall and 3-6 in the GNAC, while Oregon moves to 11-5 overall and 8-1 in the GNAC proving still that they are one of the best teams in the conference.