Freshmen pace #14 UAA to 3-1 win over #20 PLNU

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Sept. 11) – Outside hitter Leah Swiss collected a career-high 15 kills Friday to help No. 14 Alaska Anchorage to a 25-20, 25-13, 22-25, 25-15 volleyball victory over No. 20 Point Loma at the GNAC/Pac West Crossover tournament at Nicholson Pavilion.

The Seawolves (6-0) extended the second-best start in program history as they also got a season-best 23 digs from freshman libero Kyla Militante-Amper, plus 14 kills and seven digs from senior outside hitter Katelynn Zanders.

The Sea Lions (4-2) were led by 13 kills and 11 digs from outside hitter Heather Leavitt, but the San Diegans were out-hit .317 to .155 and outblocked 11-3.

UAA took control with big runs midway through the first two sets, including a 5-0 surge that snapped a 9-9 tie in the second frame.

After seeing their 12-set win streak snapped in the third, the Seawolves never trailed in the fourth, jumping to leads of 5-2 and 12-5 before cruising to the finish line.

Swiss also collected her best collegiate hitting percentage at .389 (15-1-36), while senior middle blocker Caitlin Hanson smashed seven kills on career-high .600 hitting (7-1-10), along with four block assists.

Junior middle blocker Erin Braun collected a match-high five block assists and made four kills, while senior right-side hitter Julia Mackey had nine kills, four block assists and a pair of aces.

Junior setter Morgan Hooe dished 43 assists to help UAA hit over .300 for the fourth straight match.

UAA returns to action tonight at 5 p.m. ADT against No. 21 BYU-Hawaii in the GNAC/Pac West Crossover.

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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

#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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#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