ANCHORAGE (Oct. 12) - On a night when neither team hit for a high percentage, the UAA volleyball team used superior defense to record a 30-25, 30-25, 30-18 victory over arch-rival Alaska Fairbanks at the Sports Center.

Brianne McCabe had nine kills and O'Lita McWilliams and Starr Burgan each slammed eight for the Seawolves (8-9, 4-5 GNAC), but it was UAA's advantage in blocking (9-4) and digs (56-45) that led to the victory. UAF (9-5, 6-3) got a match-high 15 kills from Mallory Bergstrom, but managed only a .036 team hitting percentage.

Meanwhile, UAA hit .134 as a team and had an impressive 12-5 advantage in service aces.

The Seawolves took early leads in the first and third games and were never threatened, but a comeback was necessary in Game 2. With UAF leading 25-24, UAA setter Kasey Kuelper served six straight points to close the game, including two of her three aces.

Kuelper finished with only 28 assists, but she contributed in all other areas with four kills, nine digs and three block assists. Junior libero Kirsten Hunley led the match with 17 digs, while junior outside hitter Michelle Garvin had three kills without an error, 11 digs, two aces a match-best five blocks.

The Seawolves, now 8-1 at home this year, go for their first win away from the Sports Center when they visit Humboldt State for a Great Northwest Athletic Conference match Thursday, Oct. 17.