Super season ends with loss to #2 Coyotes

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The best season in Alaska Anchorage volleyball history came to an end Friday night as the Seawolves fell 25-22, 25-22, 25-13 to nationally 2nd-ranked Cal State-San Bernardino in the second round of the NCAA Division II West Regionals here at Coyote Gymnasium.

The 5th-seeded Seawolves (23-8) were led by 12 kills from Jackie Matthisen and 10 digs from fellow sophomore outside hitter McKenzie Moss, but UAA couldn't slow down the power attack of the Coyotes, who hit .372 for the match.

Top-seeded CSUSB (31-1) was led by 17 kills from outside hitter Jane Chafeh to advance to Saturday's regional final against 6th-seeded Cal State-Los Angeles, which upset nationally 3rd-ranked UC San Diego earlier in the evening.

The Seawolves played catch-up through the entire first set, finally pulling within 22-20 and 23-21 on Matthisen kills. UAA fought off one set point on a kill by senior Ashley Bates, but the Coyotes clinched the set on a kill by Megan Johnson.

UAA took a 19-16 lead in the second and appeared poised to make it a long night for the defending NCAA national runners-up. But CSUSB rallied for the next four points and pulled away from a 22-22 tie to take go up by two sets.

The Seawolves led 9-6 early in the third before the Coyotes took over for good, scoring 19 of the final 23 points.

UAA also got five blocks and four total blocks from junior middle blocker Cortney Lundberg, plus six kills and three aces from Moss.

The loss snapped a school-record 13-match winning streak for UAA, which finished with the second-most victories and tied for the best winning percentage (.742) in program history (since 1980).

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Players Mentioned

#7 Ashley Bates: MB; 6' 0"; Junior

#13 Cortney Lundberg: MB; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#RS Jackie Matthisen: MB/OH; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#6 McKenzie Moss: OH; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#7 Ashley Bates
: 6' 0"; Junior
: MB

#13 Cortney Lundberg
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: MB

#RS Jackie Matthisen
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: MB/OH

#6 McKenzie Moss
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: OH