LACEY, Wash. (Oct. 5) – Senior Nicole Blue had nine kills and 14 digs, but the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team could not find its offensive rhythm Thursday in a 25-20, 22-25, 29-27, 25-11 loss to Saint Martin's at Marcus Pavilion.

The Seawolves (10-11, 2-4 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) were led by 10 kills from junior outside hitter Bethany Tuchardt and 16 digs from junior libero Reilly Plumhoff as they were outhit .258 to .109.

The Saints (9-6, 3-3) got 17 kills from Sirena Paredo and 15 kills from Emily Garten as they snapped a 29-match losing streak against the Seawolves. SMU had not beaten UAA since taking both matches in the 2007 season.

The visitors got off to a solid start, forging a 17-14 lead on two straight aces by freshman Trinity Tatupu and leading 20-18 in the first when Saint Martin's took its second timeout. The Saints responded with a kill by Paredo to start a 7-0 run to take the opening frame.

UAA freshman Bella Burney – from nearby Tumwater – had three of her eight kills in the second frame, including a go-ahead kill to make it 23-23, after the Seawolves had erased an early 10-3 deficit. Blue and junior middle blocker Leilani Elder followed with consecutive kills to make it one set apiece.

Junior Isabel Evans had late kills in the third set to give UAA 23-20 and 24-21 edges, but the Saints would not fold, winning three straight rallies to tie it, and eventually claiming a 2-1 lead when Maddy Gooding and Emmy Hanson blocked Blue for a 29-27 finish.

Sophomore defensive specialist Madison Galloway had 13 digs, Elder made a team-high five block assists, and junior setters Kadyn Osborne and Makana Eleneki dished 15 assists apiece in the loss.

The Seawolves travel south for a Saturday (6 pm ADT) contest against Western Oregon (8-6, 2-4). Visit GoSeawolves.com for links to live video and stats.