Chargers spoil home debut

ANCHORAGE – The UAA volleyball team suffered its fourth straight loss Thursday, dropping a 30-23, 30-26, 30-21 decision to Briar Cliff in the opening match of the Extended Stay Deluxe Invitational.

The Seawolves (1-4) were led by 10 kills and 12 digs from sophomore Heather Lyons, while Pasadeanna Aukusitino had nine kills and 17 digs in the team's home opener.

The Chargers (5-1), an NAIA team from Sioux City, Iowa, controlled most of the match, outhitting UAA .117 to .040. Junior middle blocker Micaela Borer was the big difference with an impressive .500 attack percentage (11 kills, 0 errors, 22 attempts), while Renee Beiermann had a match-high 13 kills, and setter Kayla Bessmer dished 33 assists for the visitors.

UAA – which registered just one block – continued to be hurt by the injury bug, losing the services of all-around standout Paepaetele Poasa (shin splints) for the weekend. Senior middle blocker Chelsey Jones and sophomore outside hitter Brenda Cooper – who had missed the opening four matches last week – returned to the lineup, but neither was at 100 percent effectiveness.

The Seawolves get a chance to turn things around soon, however, with a 1 p.m. Friday showdown scheduled against LaGrange (Ga.) as round-robin play continues. Briar Cliff next takes on Notre Dame de Namur (Calif.) at 3 p.m. Friday, and then plays LaGrange at 5 p.m. UAA and NDNU will conclude the evening with a 7 p.m. first serve.

Sophomore Heather Lyons registers one of her team-high 12 digs in UAA's 3-0 loss to Briar Cliff in the 2006 Extended Stay Deluxe Invitational.

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Players Mentioned

#8 Pasadeanna Aukusitino: OH/DS; 5' 5"; Freshman

#4 Brenda Cooper: OH; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#2 Chelsey Jones: MB; 6' 1"; Senior

#1 Heather Lyons: OH; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#12 Paepaetele Poasa: OH; 5' 10"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#8 Pasadeanna Aukusitino
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: OH/DS

#4 Brenda Cooper
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: OH

#2 Chelsey Jones
: 6' 1"; Senior
: MB

#1 Heather Lyons
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: OH

#12 Paepaetele Poasa
: 5' 10"; Junior
: OH