'Wolves win inaugural match with Clan

ANCHORAGE – Outside hitter McKenzie Moss had 10 kills and the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team rallied for a late 3rd-set comeback Thursday to earn a 25-14, 25-15, 25-23 victory over Simon Fraser at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

The Seawolves (7-5, 2-2 GNAC) also got six kills apiece from middle blockers Cortney Lundberg and Robyn Burton, plus a match-high 12 digs from libero Nikkie Viotto to claim the first-ever meeting between the schools.

The Clan (0-10, 0-6), a Great Northwest Athletic Conference newcomer from Burnaby, British Columbia, was led by eight kills from outside hitter Jennifer Neilson.

After dominating the first two sets – including a .480 team attack percentage in the second frame – the Seawolves found themselves in a 3rd-set fight as they went for the sweep.

SFU claimed its biggest lead at 16-13 on a kill from Kristjana Fridfinnson and earned a 23-21 advantage on a kill from Kelsey Robinson (7 kills). But Lundberg answered with a kill of her own and then teamed with Moss to block an attack by Neilson, tying it 23-23. An attack error by Robinson gave UAA match point and sophomore outside hitter Marie Borowikow delivered with her first service ace of the season, just catching the back line.

Freshman Siobhan Johansen led UAA with 13 assists as head coach Chris Green utilized all three of his setters. Meanwhile, Lundberg and Burton combined for a .407 attack percentage and accounted for five blocks apiece to help UAA dominate at the net.

The Seawolves face a much tougher test Saturday when 15th-ranked and GNAC preseason favorite Western Washington invades the WFSC for a 7 p.m. first serve.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#13 Marie Borowikow: OH; 6' 3"; Freshman

#9 Nikkie Viotto: DS; 5' 8"; Freshman

#4 Robyn Burton: MB; 5' 11"; Freshman

#10 Siobhan Johansen: S; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

#13 Marie Borowikow
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: OH

#9 Nikkie Viotto
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: DS

#4 Robyn Burton
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: MB

#10 Siobhan Johansen
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: S