Women's Volleyball 10/11/2015 1:01:00 AM UAA Media Relations

#7 Seawolves rebound with 3-1 win at Central

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Senior Katelynn Zanders ripped 17 kills and led a big 4th-set comeback Saturday to propel No. 7 Alaska Anchorage to a 25-18, 21-25, 25-21, 25-23 volleyball victory over Central Washington at Nicholson Pavilion on Saturday night.

The Seawolves (15-1, 7-1 GNAC) also got 15 kills from senior right-side hitter Julia Mackey as they responded well following their first loss of the season, a 4-setter Thursday night at Northwest Nazarene. Junior setter Morgan Hooe dished 45 assists and junior middle blocker Erin Bran had eight block assists in Saturday's win, including the stuff on match point.

Outside hitter Linden Firethorn posted 14 kills and five total blocks for the Wildcats (10-5, 6-2), who entered victorious in four straight and 10 of their last 11 matches. The hosts were out-hit .240 to .178, while UAA's 9-4 advantage in aces played a large role in the final set.

After splitting the first two frames, the Seawolves took control with a 5-0 run midway through the third, going ahead 17-11 on one of freshman Leah Swiss's nine kills. Central pulled within 18-17, but Zanders provided the answer with kills on three of the next four rallies, and Mackey finished things off on set point.

Central appeared ready to force a fifth set when a Firethorn kill gave the hosts an 18-12 lead in the fourth, however UAA head coach Chris Green called a timeout that seemed to switch all the momentum.

Zanders and Mackey came out of the break with consecutive kills, and Swiss cut the deficit to 21-19 a few minutes later. Down 22-19, Zanders took over completely. The two-time All-GNAC performer slammed kills on three of the next four points to give UAA the lead, then answered Jordan Deming's kill with another of her own to make it 24-23. Central setter Catie Fry dished a solid set to teammate Kiah Jones on the next play, but Braun and Mackey combined for the winning block.

Saturday's match was a matchup of the teams ranked first (CWU) and fourth (UAA) nationally in blocks per set, and the Seawolves won that battle 12-10.

Officially clinching its eighth straight winning season under Green, UAA also got solid performances from freshman libero Kyla Militante-Amper (13 digs), senior middle blocker Caitlin Hanson (6 kills, 4 block assists), and freshman serving specialist Taylor Noga (career-high 3 aces).

The victory was UAA's third straight against Central Washington and evened the all-time series in Ellensburg at 9-9. The Seawolves also improved to 6-0 in the last two seasons at Nicholson Pavilion, including four neutral-court wins last month at the GNAC/Pac West Crossover.

Now trailing first-place Western Washington (14-2, 8-0) by one match, the Seawolves will get a chance to host the Vikings on Thursday (7 p.m.) at the Alaska Airlines Center. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance by surfing to GoSeawolves.com, calling 907-786-1562, or visiting the Alaska Airlines Center box office.

NOTES: Zanders played her 100th career match in Green & Gold on Saturday … now with 1,242 kills, Zanders is within six of tying Cherie Knox (1987-90) for No. 2 on UAA's career list … Mackey increased her career total to 980 kills, bringing her within six of No. 7 on the list (Jeni Phillips, 1993-96).

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#8 Caitlin Hanson: MB/RS; 5' 11"; Sophomore

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

#7 Leah Swiss: OH; 6' 0"; Freshman

#3 Kyla Militante-Amper: L/S; 5' 3"; Freshman

#5 Taylor Noga: OH/L; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

#8 Caitlin Hanson
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: MB/RS

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

#7 Leah Swiss
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: OH

#3 Kyla Militante-Amper
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: L/S

#5 Taylor Noga
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: OH/L

University of Alaska Anchorage Athletics

Scoreboard

#7 Seawolves rebound with 3-1 win at Central

Players Mentioned

#6 Julia Mackey

#14 Katelynn Zanders

#8 Caitlin Hanson

#2 Morgan Hooe

#7 Leah Swiss

#3 Kyla Militante-Amper

#5 Taylor Noga

Players Mentioned

#6 Julia Mackey

#14 Katelynn Zanders

#8 Caitlin Hanson

#2 Morgan Hooe

#7 Leah Swiss

#3 Kyla Militante-Amper

#5 Taylor Noga