FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The Northwest Nazarene University volleyball team, ranked fourth in the NCAA Division II Pacific Region, defeated the University of Alaska Fairbanks 23-30, 30-26, 30-19, 30-25 on Saturday night at the Patty Center in Fairbanks.

Now winners of six straight, the Crusaders were led by Cammy Dranginis, who posted a match-high 16 kills and six blocks. Loni Evenson had 13 kills and a match-best 24 digs as NNU ran its streak to a season-best six matches. The Crusaders had opened the season with five straight at non-conference tournaments in California and Hawaii.

"Anytime we can make this road trip and go home with two wins...I'm excited," commented NNU head coach Jared Sliger. "We took care of business on the road this weekend and it gives us some good momentum headed into next weekend's home matches."

Lindsay Forseth had eight kills and 21 digs, Chelsea Pelton had nine kills and Allison James had eight kills and 44 assists.

NNU improves to 10-4 in GNAC play and 16-6, while the Nanooks fall to 3-12 in the GNAC and 9-14 overall.

Korlyn Bolster led the Nanooks with 13 kills as the Crusaders out-hit UAF .159 to .103.

Sitting in third place in the conference behind Western Washington and Western Oregon, the Crusaders will have a chance next weekend to shake up the standings when they host fourth-place Central Washington on Thursday and first-place Western Washington on Saturday.