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Seawolves clinch outright GNAC crown

Women's Volleyball UAA Media Relations

Seawolves clinch outright GNAC crown

ANCHORAGE – Powered by solid performances up and down the lineup, the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team won its first-ever Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship Thursday night with a 25-18, 25-22, 25-16 sweep of Northwest Nazarene at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

The Seawolves (21-7, 13-2 GNAC) also tied the school record with their 11th straight victory, getting double-doubles from sophomore outside hitters McKenzie Moss and Jackie Matthisen, 39 assists from senior Calli Scott, and an impressive 26 digs from senior libero Stacie Meisner.

The Crusaders (15-13, 8-7) were led by seven kills apiece from Becky Flores and Cammy Dranginis as the visitors from Nampa, Idaho, suffered their first season sweep against UAA since 2001.

UAA – which clinched its third NCAA Tournament berth (1989, 1990) – controlled the match throughout, facing its only two-point deficit early in the first set. NNU made things interesting in the second frame, rallying to tie it 21-21, but Matthisen smashed two kills in the next three rallies as the Seawolves took control.

Matthisen finished with 13 kills, 13 digs, three assists and a pair of blocks, while Moss tallied 12 kills, 10 digs and a pair of aces. Freshman Marie Borowikow got into the act, too, with 11 kills and a match-high .417 attack percentage.

Meisner came one dig shy of tying the school record for digs per set in a match (9.0 by Cherie Knox vs. Regis, 10/20/89), adding three assists and serve ace on match point.

“I thought Stacie and Jackie's defense really set the tone and kept us in a lot of points,” said UAA second-year head coach Chris Green, whose squad was picked seventh in the GNAC's preseason coaches' poll. “They made some incredible, diving digs on the back row. Marie really gave us a huge lift, too.

“Tonight was really a team effort by everyone – really a reflection of the way we've played all year. Even the support from the bench during matches has been terrific and really inspired us to this accomplishment.”

The regionally 5th-ranked Seawolves finish the regular season Saturday when they host regionally 7th-ranked Seattle Pacific (17-10, 11-4), the team that was previously chasing them in the standings. First serve is 7 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

The announcement of the NCAA Tournament field will be made Sunday, with the West Regional starting either Nov. 18 or 19. Nationally 2nd-ranked Cal State-San Bernardino currently holds the inside track to host the event.

UAA Volleyball Conference titles
2009 – Great Northwest Athletic Conference (outright)
1992 – Pacific West Conference (tie)
1990 – Continental Divide Conference (outright)
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Players Mentioned

Jackie Matthisen

#RS Jackie Matthisen

MB/OH
5' 11"
Sophomore
Stacie Meisner

#14 Stacie Meisner

L
5' 8"
Junior
McKenzie Moss

#6 McKenzie Moss

OH
5' 11"
Freshman
Calli Scott

#4 Calli Scott

S
5' 8"
Junior
Marie Borowikow

#13 Marie Borowikow

OH
6' 3"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Jackie Matthisen

#RS Jackie Matthisen

5' 11"
Sophomore
MB/OH
Stacie Meisner

#14 Stacie Meisner

5' 8"
Junior
L
McKenzie Moss

#6 McKenzie Moss

5' 11"
Freshman
OH
Calli Scott

#4 Calli Scott

5' 8"
Junior
S
Marie Borowikow

#13 Marie Borowikow

6' 3"
Freshman
OH