NAMPA, Idaho - Extending their season-best winning streak to five the Northwest Nazarene University volleyball team defeated the University of Alaska Anchorage 25-18, 27-25, 25-20 on Saturday night in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference match at the Johnson Sports Center in Nampa.

 

Cammy Dranginis paced the offense with 11 kills and teamed with Haley Hevern to lead the defense as the Crusaders improved to 7-4 in league play and 14-7 overall.  Dranginis had five blocks and Hevern had a team-high 15 digs.

 

"For the second match in a row, Amanda Boschma hit some of the hardest balls I've seen hit in our gym," commented NNU coach Jared Sliger.  "She's turned herself into the premier right-side in the conference."  Boschma finished with seven kills and three blocks after leading the Crusaders on Thursday against Alaska Fairbanks.

 

Rhea Cardwell led the Seawolves (4-7 GNAC, 12-12) with a match-high 15 kills and Stacie Meisner hustled for a match-best 17 digs.

 

Using a strong presence at the net, NNU out-blocked UAA 11-5, as Kelly VanElderen had three blocks to join Dranginis (5) and Boschma (3).  Crusader setter Eki Punimata finished with 26 assists, five digs and five kills.

 

NNU will continue their homestand next week, hosting Montana State Billings on Thursday (10/30) evening at 7:00 p.m.

 

Short Box Score
Alaska Anchorage vs Northwest Nazarene (Oct 25, 2008 at Nampa,Idaho)

 

  Northwest Nazarene def. Alaska Anchorage 25-18,27-25,25-20

 

  Alaska Anchorage (4-7 GNAC, 12-12) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
  Cardwell,Rhea 15-1-0; Lundberg,Cortney 9-0-2; Johnson,Joanna 5-0-1;
  Moss,McKenzie 4-0-2; Morehouse,Jessica 2-0-0; Scott,Calli 1-0-1;
  Bates,Ashley 1-0-1; Kidwell,Rachel 1-1-0; Negron,Cristal 0-1-0; Totals
  38-3-5.0. (Assists) - Scott,Calli 30. (Dig leaders) - Meisner,Stacie
  17; Johnson,Joanna 12; Scott,Calli 8

 

  Northwest Nazarene (7-4 GNAC, 14-7) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
  Dranginis,Cammy 11-0-5; Forseth,Lindsay 8-0-2; Boschma,Amanda 7-1-3;
  Punimata,Eki 5-1-1; Trautmann,Kailey 5-0-1; VanElderen,Kelly 1-0-3;
  Totals 37-2-11.0. (Assists) - Punimata,Eki 26. (Dig leaders) -
  Hevern,Haley 15; Boschma,Amanda 12; Forseth,Lindsay 8

 

  Site: Nampa,Idaho (Johnson Sports Ctr)
  Date: Oct 25, 2008   Attend: 471   Time: 1.5 hrs
  Referees: Gary Dean, Robbie Reno