Scoreboard

Veterans pace UAA to 3-1 win in opener at BYUH

Women's Volleyball UAA Media Relations

Veterans pace UAA to 3-1 win in opener at BYUH

LAIE, Hawaii – Sophomore Leah Swiss posted a double-double and senior Erin Braun notched a pair of career-highs to lift No. 14 Alaska Anchorage to a 22-25, 25-7, 25-18, 25-17 victory over Brigham Young-Hawaii in the volleyball season-opener for both teams Thursday at the Canon Activities Center.

The Seawolves quickly recovered from a slow start thanks to another pair of veterans from last year's Great Northwest Athletic Conference title squad, getting 40 assists, four kills and six digs from senior All-American setter Morgan Hooe and 18 digs from sophomore libero Kyla Militante-Amper.

The Seasiders got 11 kills and 22 digs from outside hitter Leilani Adolpho, but the Pacific West Conference squad was out-hit .162 to .057 and out-aced 9-1.

“We did a nice job of cleaning up our effort after a sloppy first set, so it's encouraging to see that kind of composure – especially in a hostile road environment – this early in the season and with this many new faces,” said UAA head coach Chris Green. “Our seniors really did a nice job of setting the pace and turning our mindset from hesitant to aggressive.”

After leading for only two points in the first set, the Seawolves blazed to an 11-2 lead to start the second, quickly forcing a BYUH timeout. Braun served four of her career-high five aces on consecutive points and made two of her career-high four solo blocks in the frame, finishing the night with 11 kills on .269 hitting.

The Seawolves broke open close sets midway through the third and fourth, led by Swiss, who accounted for her seventh career double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs. Fellow sophomore and Dimond High product Chrisalyn Johnson also slammed 12 kills as the outside hitter matched her total from her entire rookie season, when she played backup to All-American Katelynn Zanders.

Right-side hitter Diana Fa'amausili had a strong debut with seven kills and five block assists, while another true freshman, middle blocker Vanessa Hayes, notched three kills and four blocks.

Sophomore outside hitter Taylor Noga also reached double digits in digs with 11.

The Seawolves finish their trip with a Friday 9 p.m. ADT showdown against Chaminade and a Saturday 8 p.m. ADT match against Hawaii Pacific, both in Honolulu.

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Players Mentioned

Katelynn Zanders

#14 Katelynn Zanders

OH
5' 9"
Freshman
Erin Braun

#15 Erin Braun

MB
6' 0"
Freshman
Morgan Hooe

#2 Morgan Hooe

S
5' 6"
Freshman
Leah Swiss

#7 Leah Swiss

OH
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
Diana Fa

#17 Diana Fa'amausili

RS
5' 11"
Freshman
Vanessa Hayes

#18 Vanessa Hayes

MB
5' 11"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Katelynn Zanders

#14 Katelynn Zanders

5' 9"
Freshman
OH
Erin Braun

#15 Erin Braun

6' 0"
Freshman
MB
Morgan Hooe

#2 Morgan Hooe

5' 6"
Freshman
S
Leah Swiss

#7 Leah Swiss

6' 0"
Freshman
OH
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
Diana Fa

#17 Diana Fa'amausili

5' 11"
Freshman
RS
Vanessa Hayes

#18 Vanessa Hayes

5' 11"
Freshman
MB