MONMOUTH, Ore. (Sept. 20) - Junior Brianne Halling had 12 kills, but the University of Alaska Anchorage volleyball team lost its Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener 30-22, 30-22, 30-25 to Western Oregon here Thursday night.

Tiffany Thorkildson and Gwen Kreitzberg had 13 kills apiece for WOU (6-5, 3-1 GNAC). The Seawolves (7-4, 0-1) got 35 assists from setter Janelle Veith as they were swept for only the second time this season.

Senior outside hitter Marise Knock tallied nine kills and a team-high 16 digs, but the Wolves' trio of Thorkildson, Kreitzberg and Megan Thorne helped their team to a .268 to .173 advantage in hitting percentage.

The Seawolves will try to crack the conference win column Saturday night when they visit Humboldt State for 6 p.m. Alaska time start.