ANCHORAGE – Eve Stephens and Vera Pluharova combined for 27 kills and libero Talia Leauanae delivered 20 digs to help the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team premiere with a 25-21, 25-13, 23-25, 25-21 exhibition victory Saturday over the Seawolf Alumni at the Alaska Airlines Center.

UAA also got nine kills and seven digs from outside hitter Vanessa Hayes – the team's lone senior – as they used late runs in the first and fourth sets to secure the victory.

The alumni were led by eight kills apiece from outside hitters Anais Vargas (2016-17) and Jackie Matthisen (2009-11), while libero Quinn Barker (2013-14) made a match-high 24 digs.

Stephens – coming off GNAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2018 – had 16 kills on .412 hitting and a match-best seven total blocks, while Pluharova connected for a match-best .529 hitting percentage, delivering 11 kills on just 17 attempts and six total blocks.

Returning starter Ellen Floyd and junior transfer Emma Kleven shared most of the setting duties, combining for 39 assists.

The Seawolves also got a boost from the return of middle blocker Kayla McGlathery. The 2014 GNAC Newcomer of the Year, McGlathery was playing in her first match since stepping away from the sport four years ago. She finished with five kills and no errors on 11 attacks, along with two solo blocks and three block assists.

UAA begins the regular season next week with four matches in the Seawolf Invitational at the Alaska Airlines Center. The Seawolves open the tournament Thursday at 7 p.m. against Regis.

Call 907-786-1562 or visit AlaskaAirlinesCenter.com for full-season and individual match tickets.