NAMPA - The Northwest Nazarene University volleyball team fell to the University of Alaska Fairbanks 30-26, 27-30, 33-31, 24-30, 12-15 in a five game thriller on Thursday night in front of 724 fans at the Johnson Sports Center in Nampa.

"The crowd was tremendous and I wish we could have pulled this one out just for them," commented NNU head coach Jared Sliger after watching more than 700 fans storm into the Johnson Sports Center following a pre-match barbeque and tailgate party in the JSC parking lot. "Our student and fan support has been awesome and we will get back on track."

Well below their season average, NNU hit just .144 and could not overcome 37 attack errors as they fall to 3-3 in conference play and 9-5 overall. Alaska Fairbanks improves to 2-4 in conference action and 8-6 overall.

The Nanooks were led by Megan Thigpen, who had a match-best 18 kills along with 15 digs, while Korlyn Bolster was right behind with 16 kills. UAF's Alexa Sherman led all setters with 54 assists with NNU's Ali James handing out 51.

Loni Evenson and Cammy Dranginis paced NNU with 14 kills each and Lindsay Forseth had the Crusaders only double-double with 12 kills and 18 digs. Jackie Bourdon led the defense with a match-high 22 digs.

NNU will face Alaska Anchorage on Saturday night in a GNAC tilt at 7 p.m. at the Johnson Sports Center.