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Seawolf spikers celebrate 2011 season

Women's Volleyball UAA Media Relations

Seawolf spikers celebrate 2011 season

ANCHORAGE – Senior Jackie Matthisen was named Most Valuable Player on Saturday night as the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team celebrated the 2011 season with its team banquet at the Petroleum Club.

Matthisen, a 5-11 outside hitter, was the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year and an AVCA honorable mention All-American last fall, helping the Seawolves to an 18-9 record and their third straight NCAA Tournament berth.

A unanimous First Team All-GNAC pick, Matthisen ranked second in the overall league stats in kills (4.14) and points (4.50) per set, plus 11th in attack percentage (.236) and 14th in digs per set (2.92). Her numbers improved in GNAC play, tallying a league-best 4.45 kps and 4.78 pps, along with a .267 attack percentage, as UAA finished runner-up in the final standings. The former East Anchorage High School standout and two-time All-West Region honoree posted a team-high 15 double-doubles, while recording GNAC-highs for kills in a match (27 at league champ Seattle Pacific) and in a 3-setter (21 vs. Saint Martin's).

The former Western Oregon transfer ended her three-year Seawolf career No. 3 on UAA's all-time lists for total kills (1,134) and kills per set (3.67). Matthisen was also a three-time All-GNAC Academic Team selection with a 3.32 overall grade-point average.

Also taking home team awards Saturday were juniors Kimya Jafroudi and Nikkie Viotto, plus sophomores Siobhan Johansen and Quincy Haught.

Johansen, from Palmer, earned the Coaches' Award after playing in all 97 sets, seeing time at both the setter and defensive specialist positions. The former Colony High star averaged 2.00 digs per game and ranked second on the team with 221 assists, and she earned GNAC All-Academic honors with a 3.46 overall GPA.

Viotto, from Eagle River High School, received the Most Improved Player award after making the switch to full-time outside hitter in 2011. After playing primarily back row her first two seasons, Viotto provided an offensive punch with 2.10 kills per set and a GNAC-best 0.40 aces per set this year, playing in all 97 sets as well. She holds the team's highest overall GPA at 3.81 as a journalism and public communications major.

Haught, from Gilbert, Ariz., was tabbed Best Defensive Player for the second straight year after leading the Seawolves and ranking seventh in the GNAC with 4.34 digs per set. The team's full-time libero also did not miss a single set, finishing sixth in the league with 0.32 aces per set.

The Most Inspirational Player award went to Jafroudi, a 5-7 setter from Huntington Beach, Calif. The GNAC Newcomer of the Year and second-team all-league pick averaged 10.22 assists for the season, helping the Seawolves lead the conference in team hitting percentage at .236 – also a school record.
With the exception of the Coaches' Award, all of the awards were chosen by the players' vote.

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Players Mentioned

Jackie Matthisen

#RS Jackie Matthisen

MB/OH
5' 11"
Sophomore
Nikkie Viotto

#9 Nikkie Viotto

DS
5' 8"
Freshman
Quincy Haught

#7 Quincy Haught

DS
5' 7"
Freshman
Siobhan Johansen

#10 Siobhan Johansen

S
5' 7"
Freshman
Kimya Jafroudi

#11 Kimya Jafroudi

S
5' 7"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Jackie Matthisen

#RS Jackie Matthisen

5' 11"
Sophomore
MB/OH
Nikkie Viotto

#9 Nikkie Viotto

5' 8"
Freshman
DS
Quincy Haught

#7 Quincy Haught

5' 7"
Freshman
DS
Siobhan Johansen

#10 Siobhan Johansen

5' 7"
Freshman
S
Kimya Jafroudi

#11 Kimya Jafroudi

5' 7"
Junior
S