FAIRBANKS, Alaska (Aug. 26) – Senior Nicole Blue tallied 15 kills and 23 digs as the 14th-ranked Alaska Anchorage volleyball team turned up its defensive effort in the fifth set Saturday to earn a 25-22, 27-25, 23-25, 17-25, 15-10 victory over Hawaii Hilo in the Alaska/Hawaii Challenge at the Patty Center.

The Seawolves (1-3) also got a big all-around performance from junior middle blocker Isabel Evans, who had seven kills, six total blocks and a career-high eight digs.

The Vulcans (2-2) were led by 25 kills and 15 digs from outside hitter Taylor Tullo, but the Pacific West Conference squad suffered its second five-set loss of the afternoon, despite outhitting the Seawolves .194 to .169.

"We executed well early in the match, and although we struggled some in the third and early in the fourth, we were able to regain some momentum late in that fourth set, and that paid big dividends," said Stacie Meisner, who picked up her first career head-coaching victory after six seasons as a Seawolf assistant. "That was a great overall team victory, with lots of contributions off the bench on some key late rallies."

Junior middle blocker Leilani Elder accounted for all five of her kills in the opening set and junior setter Makana Eleneki had 12 of her 39 assists to stake UAA to a 1-0 lead.

The second frame featured 15 ties and five lead changes, with the Vulcans earning a set point when Kamryn Childs' kill made it 25-24. The Seawolves would answer with a 3-0 run, however, as Blue sandwiched kills around a Hilo attack error.

After falling short in a third-set comeback and hitting just .029 in the fourth, the Seawolves were able to control action for most of the final frame.

Two straight kills from outside hitter Bethany Tuchardt gave UAA a 4-3 lead, and setter Kadyn Osborne capped the deciding run with an ace and a kill. Leading 6-4, Evans combined with three different teammates to stuff Vulcan attacks on consecutive rallies, and Blue smashed a pair of kills – including match point – after Hilo had edged closer at 9-7.

A Preseason All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference honoree, Blue equaled the fourth-most kills in her four-year career and set a career high in digs for the third time in four matches.

Junior rightside hitter Larssen Anderson delivered 12 kills and two total blocks, and Tuchardt finished with 11 kills and four total blocks. Eleneki and junior libero Reilly Plumhoff had 15 digs apiece, and sophomore defensive specialist Sydney Johnson more than doubled her previous career high with nine digs.

UAA starts its home season Thursday at the Alaska Airlines Center in the three-day Seawolf Invitational, facing Upper Iowa (0-0) in the opener at 7 p.m. Surf to GoSeawolves.com for links to tickets, live stats and more.

SATURDAY MATCH 1: Chaminade 3, UAA 0
Bethany Tuchardt ripped 11 kills, but the Seawolves could never get rolling in a 25-16, 25-19, 25-23 loss to defending Pac West Conference champion Chaminade in the Alaska/Hawaii Challenge at the Patty Center.

A transfer from Highline (Wash.) College, Tuchardt hit .391 on 23 attacks, while setter Makana Eleneki finished with 20 assists. Reilly Plumhoff led the Seawolves with eight digs.

The Silverswords (3-0) were led by 13 kills on .684 hitting by Ajack Malual.