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Zanders powers #13 UAA to sweep at MSUB

Women's Volleyball UAA Media Relations

Zanders powers #13 UAA to sweep at MSUB

BILLINGS, Mont. – Senior Katelynn Zanders delivered 15 kills and 11 digs Saturday as No. 13 Alaska Anchorage rolled to a 25-22, 25-17, 25-17 volleyball victory over Montana State Billings at Alterowitz Gymnasium.

The Seawolves (18-2, 10-2 GNAC) also got 36 assists and 10 digs from junior setter Morgan Hooe as they beat their second-oldest rivals for the 12th straight time overall and sixth straight in Billings.

The Yellowjackets (4-17, 3-9) were led by nine kills from Ashlynn Ward, but the hosts were out-hit .262 to .132 and outdug 52-43.

Saturday's victory draws UAA within a half-match of GNAC leader Western Washington, which hosts Central Washington tonight in Bellingham.

UAA earned its second sweep of the Yellowjackets this year despite having to dig out of a 12-7 hole in the first set. Having trailed since the third point of the frame, the Seawolves finally forged a 20-20 tie with three straight rallies, capped by Hooe's ace. Hooe was called for a bad set on the next play before UAA recovered for another 3-0 surge, getting consecutive block assists from junior Erin Braun. Julia Mackey gave UAA a 24-22 lead with one of her eight kills, and junior Mikayla Sweet finish it with an ace.

MSU Billings stayed close through the early stages of the next two sets, however UAA put together significant runs at the midpoint of each frame to pull away.

Braun and fellow middle blocker Caitlin Hanson tallied seven kills apiece, and freshman libero Kyla Militante-Amper – returning from a three-match absence due to a concussion – controlled the back row with 14 digs.

Hanson hit a match-high .400 (7 kills-1 error-15 attacks) for UAA, which also got .300-plus attack percentages from Mackey (.353), Braun (.333) and Zanders (.300).

Mackey, a senior right-side hitter, moved into No. 6 on UAA's career kills list at 1,019, passing Sabrina Bingham (1,012, 1996-99). The Fairbanks (West Valley HS) product can move into the top five with just five more spikes (1,024, Brianne McCabe, 1999-2002).

The Seawolves return home for classes next week before hitting the road again. Up next, they will face Saint Martin's on Friday, Oct. 30 in Lacey, Wash., and Seattle Pacific the following night in Seattle. Both matches start at 6 p.m. ADT.

NOTES: UAA has won 36 of the last 39 sets against MSUB, which has not prevailed in the series since winning both matches in 2009 … the Seawolves improved to 44-10 all-time against the Yellowjackets … playing without injured starter Leah Swiss for the first time this year, the Seawolves got significant playing time for freshmen Chrisalyn Johnson and Alex Garrett … Johnson, appearing in just her second match, recorded her first career kill and block … freshman Taylor Noga recorded the first two kills of her career, along with an ace and five digs … Zanders's double-double was her ninth this season and 29th of her career … head coach Chris Green earned his 150th victory at UAA (150-68).

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Players Mentioned

Julia Mackey

#6 Julia Mackey

RS
5' 11"
Freshman
Katelynn Zanders

#14 Katelynn Zanders

OH
5' 9"
Freshman
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
Leah Swiss

#7 Leah Swiss

OH
6' 0"
Freshman
Alex Garrett

#4 Alex Garrett

MB
6' 0"
Freshman
Chrisalyn Johnson

#9 Chrisalyn Johnson

OH
5' 9"
Freshman
Kyla Militante-Amper

#3 Kyla Militante-Amper

L/S
5' 3"
Freshman
Taylor Noga

#5 Taylor Noga

OH/L
5' 10"
Freshman
Mikayla Sweet

#11 Mikayla Sweet

OH
5' 11"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Julia Mackey

#6 Julia Mackey

5' 11"
Freshman
RS
Katelynn Zanders

#14 Katelynn Zanders

5' 9"
Freshman
OH
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
Leah Swiss

#7 Leah Swiss

6' 0"
Freshman
OH
Alex Garrett

#4 Alex Garrett

6' 0"
Freshman
MB
Chrisalyn Johnson

#9 Chrisalyn Johnson

5' 9"
Freshman
OH
Kyla Militante-Amper

#3 Kyla Militante-Amper

5' 3"
Freshman
L/S
Taylor Noga

#5 Taylor Noga

5' 10"
Freshman
OH/L
Mikayla Sweet

#11 Mikayla Sweet

5' 11"
Junior
OH