WOU overpowers volleyball in straight sets
September 24, 2012
Jamie Foland
474-6807
Monmouth, Ore. – Western Oregon got double-digit kills from Danielle Reese and limited Alaska to a .017 hitting percentage en route to a 3-0 Great Northwest Athletic Conference volleyball victory on Saturday night in front of 712 spectators at WOU's New PE Building.
The Wolves improved to 9-1 on the year and 2-0 in GNAC play after winning the match by scores of 25-18, 25-20 and 25-15 while the Nanooks fell to 2-8 and 0-4.
Reese produced a match-high 14 kills and added 12 digs while Krissi Kemper and Samantha Ward each tallied seven terminations, respectively. As a team, WOU hit .229 (39-15-105) and forced Alaska into 23 attack errors. Both teams struggled on the service game, combining for 15 errors but the Wolves outscored the 'Nooks 6-4 on blocks.
The Nanooks were led by freshman outside hitter Sam Harthun, who had eight kills and a season-high 15 digs. Harthun and sophomore middle blocker Morgan Tebbs both made two blocks and freshman setter Katlyn Mataya totaled game-highs of 21 assists and two aces.
The first set remained tight midway through, but with Western Oregon leading 14-13, it scored seven of the next eight, four coming by way of Alaska errors to hold a comfortable 21-14 advantage. The Nanooks closed to within four at 21-17, but the hosts closed the frame on a 4-1 run to win it 25-18.
Alaska stormed out to nice lead in the second set, going up 7-1 early on five kills, an ace and a WOU handling error. The Wolves closed the gap quickly getting to within a point at 13-12 with an 11-6 surge. Alaska answered with three to lead 16-12 but five in a row for the home team gave it a 17-16 advantage. It broke an 18-18 tie with three straight and the Wolves went on to take the set 25-20 to grab a 2-0 match lead.
WOU led 8-5 in the third, but a mini 4-0 run gave the Wolves a 12-5 lead. The lead continued to grow, eventually stretching to double digits at 21-11. Trailing 22-11, the Nanooks took advantage of three errors by Western Oregon and an ace by Mataya to close the gap to 22-15 but three in a row for the Wolves ended the match as they took the third 25-15.
The Nanooks complete their three-match road trip next Saturday when they travel to rival Alaska Anchorage. First serve is set for 7 p.m. from the Wells Fargo Sports Complex on UAA's campus.