SILVER CITY, N.M. (Sept. 14) - Vanessa Tsukano had a match-high 17 kills and Brianne Halling tallied eight kills and eight blocks as the University of Alaska Anchorage volleyball team began the Pacific West Conference season with a 15-10, 16-14, 12-15, 6-15, 15-12 victory over Western New Mexico.

UAA improves to 5-10 with the victory, and it marks the fourth time the Seawolves have gone the maximum five games to get a win. Tonia Rogers had 16 kills to lead Western New Mexico (8-5, 0-1 PWC).

UAA hit .248 (68 kills, 28 errors, 161 attempts) for the match to WNMU's .261 (79-27-199). WNMU also tallied more digs, 54-50, but UAA held a big advantage in the blocking category, 15-5.

The Seawolves and Mustangs meet again Saturday at 5 p.m. ADT.