[Box Score]
FAIRBANKS, AK – The Alaska volleyball team suffered its second loss of the season Thursday at the hands of the Cal State East Bay Pioneers, 3-1 (21-25, 25-14, 23-25, 9-25).
The Nanooks volleyed hard through sets one through three, but they were overpowered by a shift of momentum in set four. The team recorded 11 errors that set—equal to the 11 kills recorded by the Pioneers.
“Everyone's wondering what happened that fourth game,” head coach Phil Shoemaker said.
The Nanooks were dominant on both sides of the ball in set two. They overpowered the Pioneers with four service aces—three by
Jennifer Holland—and three total blocks.
The key statistic of the night though was the team's kills-to-errors ratio. With 39 kills and 32 errors, it became impossible to get a rhythm going. The Pioneers finished with 41 kills and 16 errors.
“Volleyball could just be spelled 'momentum,'” Shoemaker said.
Tereza Bendlova led the Nanooks with 13 kills.
Simone Chavous followed with eight. Hollland and
Mandy Grierson finished with three aces apiece.
On defense,
Jordyn Montgomery led with 15 digs.
Erica Gage tallied four blocks.
The 2010 Nanook Classic presented by Flint Hills Resources opens Friday night at 6 p.m. when the Pioneers face off against Bellarmine University. The Nanooks will play Charleston University at 8 p.m.
