#12 Seawolves dominate Clan in GNAC showdown

BURNABY, British Columbia – Middle blockers Erin Braun and Vanessa Hayes dominated at the net Saturday as the 12th-ranked Alaska Anchorage volleyball team won a first-place showdown against host Simon Fraser, 25-19, 25-19, 25-13, at the SFU West Gymnasium.

The defending Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion Seawolves (14-1, 4-0 GNAC) earned their 13th straight victory and remained unbeaten in 13 all-time meetings against the NCAA's lone Canadian member.

The Clan (10-2, 3-1) suffered its first loss since Sept. 3 and saw its eight-match winning streak come to an end.

UAA was led 10 kills and five total blocks from Braun, plus 10 kills and 11 digs from outside hitter Leah Swiss. Chrisalyn Johnson added nine kills and a solo block, while Hayes accounted for five kills on team-best .417 hitting and five block assists.

The first and second sets were both tight affairs before the Seawolves pulled away late. Tied 16-16 in the opening frame, Diana Fa'amausili (5 kills, 6 block assists) and Hayes sandwiched kills around an SFU error to start a clinching 9-3 run.

In the second, the Clan rallied to tie it 18-18 before two attack errors by the hosts and a kill by Hayes made it 21-18. UAA took four of the next five rallies to claim a commanding two-set lead, finishing it off with an ace by setter Morgan Hooe and another kill by Hayes.

Deadlocked 8-8 in the third, the Seawolves scored on consecutive kills by Leah Swiss, Braun and Johnson to earn the lead for good.

UAA's 13-match win streak is just one shy of the school record, set with last year's 14-0 start.

The Seawolves continue their season-long four-match road trip Tuesday when they travel north to Alaska Fairbanks (2-9, 1-3 GNAC) for a 7 p.m. first serve.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#9 Chrisalyn Johnson: OH; 5' 9"; Freshman

#17 Diana Fa'amausili: RS; 5' 11"; Freshman

#18 Vanessa Hayes: MB; 5' 11"; Freshman

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#9 Chrisalyn Johnson
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: OH

#17 Diana Fa'amausili
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: RS

#18 Vanessa Hayes
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: MB

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