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Seawolves claim 5-set thriller at CBU

Women's Volleyball UAA Media Relations

Seawolves claim 5-set thriller at CBU

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Powered by huge performances from sophomore middle blockers Erin Braun and Kayla McGlathery, the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team earned a thrilling 20-25, 25-18, 28-30, 25-23, 15-12 victory over host Cal Baptist on Friday in the GNAC/Pac West Cross-Over tournament at Van Dyne Gymnasium.

The Seawolves (5-1) got 15 kills and seven total blocks from McGlathery, who hit for a match-best .480 attack percentage, along with seven kills and career-high 10 total blocks from Braun. Junior outside hitter Katelynn Zanders had 14 kills and 10 digs for the team's first double-double of the season, and senior outside hitter Brooke Pottle notched seven kills and a career-best 24 digs in the battle of teams picked to finish runner-up in their respective leagues' preseason polls.

The Lancers (4-2) were led by 16 kills and 14 digs from outside hitter Michelle Waber and 53 assists, 11 kills and five block assists from setter Jordyn Siko.

“That was a fantastic effort against a very good team,” said seventh-year UAA head coach Chris Green. “Our players refused to get discouraged when we couldn't close out that third set, and they showed a lot of poise at key points in the fourth and fifth. This could be a very important win when it comes down to playoff positioning at the end of the season, but we've got another tough match against Point Loma tonight, so we can't get too comfortable.”

After splitting the first two sets, the Seawolves looked poised to take the lead with a 23-20 advantage late in the third. But the Lancers would fight off five consecutive set points and earn the final three rallies to take a 2-sets-to-1 advantage.

Neither team led by more than three points throughout the fourth frame, with junior Caitlin McInerney's kill earning a 23-20 advantage for the Seawolves. After a service error on set point at 24-22, Zanders finally gave UAA a lift and tied the match as she converted a feed from freshman setter Kristi Farley.

The Seawolves also trailed through much of the fifth, including 11-8 and 12-10 in the late-going. McGlathery, who transferred this summer from Texas A&M Kingsville, delivered a solo block on the next play, though, starting a 5-0 surge that clinched the victory. Senior libero Quinn Barker's ace made it 13-12 before Braun teamed with McInerney and Zanders for blocks on the final two rallies.

The Seawolves wound up with 17 total blocks for the second straight match, equaling their best effort since the second match of the 2010 season (18 vs. Drury, 8/28/10). McInerney had nine block assists and Zanders tallied three, while Braun and McGlathery recorded two solos apiece.

Junior right-side hitter Julia Mackey had eight kills and nine digs, and sophomore setter Morgan Hooe dished a career-high 31 assists. Farley also had the best totals of her young career with 18 assists and her first two collegiate kills.

Pottle was the hero along the back row, easily improving  her previous career-high of 17 digs, and Barker added 13 digs and four assists.

UAA enjoyed slight advantages in attack percentage (.172 to .158), digs (73-68) and blocks (17-12).

The Seawolves' match against Pac West preseason favorite Point Loma (3-3) begins tonight at 7:30 p.m. ADT.

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Players Mentioned

Julia Mackey

#6 Julia Mackey

RS
5' 11"
Freshman
Katelynn Zanders

#14 Katelynn Zanders

OH
5' 9"
Freshman
Quinn Barker

#1 Quinn Barker

L
5' 4"
Junior
Erin Braun

#15 Erin Braun

MB
6' 0"
Freshman
Caitlin Hanson

#8 Caitlin Hanson

MB/RS
5' 11"
Sophomore
Morgan Hooe

#2 Morgan Hooe

S
5' 6"
Freshman
Brooke Pottle

#13 Brooke Pottle

OH
5' 8"
Junior
Kristi Farley

#10 Kristi Farley

S
5' 6"
Freshman
Kayla McGlathery

#12 Kayla McGlathery

MB
6' 0"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Julia Mackey

#6 Julia Mackey

5' 11"
Freshman
RS
Katelynn Zanders

#14 Katelynn Zanders

5' 9"
Freshman
OH
Quinn Barker

#1 Quinn Barker

5' 4"
Junior
L
Erin Braun

#15 Erin Braun

6' 0"
Freshman
MB
Caitlin Hanson

#8 Caitlin Hanson

5' 11"
Sophomore
MB/RS
Morgan Hooe

#2 Morgan Hooe

5' 6"
Freshman
S
Brooke Pottle

#13 Brooke Pottle

5' 8"
Junior
OH
Kristi Farley

#10 Kristi Farley

5' 6"
Freshman
S
Kayla McGlathery

#12 Kayla McGlathery

6' 0"
Sophomore
MB