ANCHORAGE – A fast start for the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team fizzled after the opening set Saturday as visiting UC San Diego rallied for an 18-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-20 win in the final match of the Seawolf Invitational at the Alaska Airlines Center.

The Seawolves (2-2) got 16 kills and nine digs from all-tournament selection Eve Stephens, but the hosts were out-hit .223 to .143 overall and .289 to .102 over the last three sets.

The Tritons (2-2) were led by 13 kills and 12 digs from all-tournament performer Sydney Tekstra, while Claudia Mathews collected 11 kills on .524 hitting and four block assists.

"UCSD made some nice adjustments after the first set, and we were never able to get our rhythm back," said UAA head coach Chris Green. "This was a disappointing way to end the weekend, after I felt we'd made some progress in our previous two matches. We'll need to improve quickly this week with four extremely difficult region games in California coming up."

UAA took the early advantage behind a big effort from Stephens – an All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference right-side hitter – in the opening set, with the former Colony High star blasting six kills without an error on nine attacks.

The Tritons took over from there, though, grabbing early leads and pulling away throughout each remaining frame. UCSD's Trinity Casteneda added 10 kills, libero Alyson Penrose had 15 digs, and setters Susanna Limb and Brie Severino combined for 44 assists in the victory.

For UAA, senior Vanessa Hayes delivered 12 kills and three aces, while all-tournament selection Ellen Floyd dished 32 assists.

Junior middle blocker Kayla McGlathery tried to spark a late comeback, notching three of her seven kills in the final set, and added seven digs and six total blocks.

The Seawolves conclude the brisk non-conference schedule (eight matches in 10 days) next week at the D2 West Region Showcase in San Bernardino, California. UAA opens with two matches Thursday, against Cal State San Marcos and nationally 2nd-ranked and host Cal State San Bernardino. Check the GoSeawolves.com schedule page for more information.

Seawolf Invitational All-Tournament Team
Silvia Basso, Regis
Caitlyn Burroway, Regis
Ellen Floyd, Alaska Anchorage
Sami Hover, Biola
Eve Stephens, Alaska Anchorage
Sydney Tekstra, UC San Diego
Most Outstanding Player: Nikki Kennedy, Regis