Mackey powers sweep of Western Oregon

ANCHORAGE – Junior right-side hitter Julia Mackey delivered a dominating offensive performance Saturday to lead the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team to a 25-18, 25-18, 25-22 sweep of Western Oregon at the Alaska Airlines Center as the Seawolves moved into the lead in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference race.

UAA (13-3, 7-1 GNAC) got 14 kills on .440 hitting from Mackey, plus 10 kills and 11 digs from senior outside hitter Brooke Pottle to win its third straight. The victory put the Seawolves a half-match ahead of 19th-ranked Northwest Nazarene (14-2, 6-1), which suffered its first league loss earlier in the evening at 11th-ranked Western Washington.

The Wolves (2-13, 0-7) got 12 kills and 11 digs from outside hitter Alisha Bettinson but the visitors from Monmouth never posed a serious threat, getting only as close as 21-18 late in the third. UAA out-hit WOU .203 to .076 and won the digs battle 59-52.

Sophomore setter Morgan Hooe continued her strong play with 34 assists, 13 digs and five kills without and attack error, while junior outside hitter Katelynn Zanders notched eight kills. Despite an off-night for Zanders (.059 attack pct.), the South Anchorage High School product delivered four aces.

Western Oregon forged brief leads at the beginning of each set before UAA took control each time. In the third, Kiana Cash's service aces brought visitors even at 12-12, only to see the Seawolves answer with five consecutive kills from Mackey and Pottle.

UAA sophomore middle blockers Kayla McGlathery and Erin Braun combined for eight kills, and Braun added three blocks assists.

The Seawolves complete their three-match homestand on Saturday, Oct. 11, when they face rival Alaska Fairbanks for the first time at the Alaska Airlines Center. That match is set for a special matinee time of 2 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#6 Julia Mackey: RS; 5' 11"; Freshman

#14 Katelynn Zanders: OH; 5' 9"; Freshman

#15 Erin Braun: MB; 6' 0"; Freshman

#2 Morgan Hooe: S; 5' 6"; Freshman

#13 Brooke Pottle: OH; 5' 8"; Junior

#12 Kayla McGlathery: MB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#6 Julia Mackey
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: RS

#14 Katelynn Zanders
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: OH

#15 Erin Braun
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: MB

#2 Morgan Hooe
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: S

#13 Brooke Pottle
: 5' 8"; Junior
: OH

#12 Kayla McGlathery
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MB