ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Seawolves dealt the Crusaders 11 service aces as the University of Alaska Anchorage defeated the Northwest Nazarene University volleyball team three sets to one on Thursday night in the opening Great Northwest Athletic Conference match for both teams in Anchorage.

The Crusaders (6-3, 0-1 GNAC) fell 25-19 in the opening set, but bounced back to take set two 25-20.  UAA (9-5, 1-0 GNAC) rebounded from the second set defeat to take the final two sets 25-19 and 25-17.

"UAA served really tough tonight," commented NNU head coach Jared Sliger.  "They are the best serving team we have faced this season and they played very well."

NNU was led by Cammy Dranginis with nine kills and Lindsay Forseth with eight.  The Crusaders hit .286 in winning set two, but just .127 for the match, committing 19 attack errors.

The Seawolves were paced by Rhea Cardwell's match-best 18 kills, while Cortney Lundberg had 13 and Rachel Kidwell added 10.  Calli Scott led all setters with 48 assists.

The Crusaders will travel north on Friday and face the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday night in Fairbanks.

Short Box Score (Match)
                            The Automated ScoreBook
   Northwest Nazarene vs Alaska Anchorage (Sep 18, 2008 at Anchorage, Alaska)

  Alaska Anchorage def. Northwest Nazarene 25-19,20-25,25-19,25-17

  Northwest Nazarene (6-3, 0-1 GNAC) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
  Dranginis,Cammy 9-0-4; Forseth,Lindsay 8-1-1; Boschma,Amanda 5-1-3;
  Schaub,Erika 5-0-2; Trautmann,Kailey 4-0-1; Higginson,Amy 4-0-0;
  VanElderen,Kelly 2-0-4; Barber,Alaina 1-0-0; Totals 38-2-9.0.
  (Assists) - Higginson,Amy 26. (Dig leaders) - Boschma,Amanda 22;
  Hevern,Haley 18; Higginson,Amy 18; Forseth,Lindsay 14

  Alaska Anchorage (9-5, 1-0 GNAC) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
  Cardwell,Rhea 18-0-1; Lundberg,Cortney 13-0-4; Kidwell,Rachel 10-1-2;
  Johnson,Joanna 8-3-2; Bates,Ashley 7-0-1; Scott,Calli 3-0-0;
  Meisner,Stacie 1-4-0; Negron,Cristal 0-3-0; Totals 60-11-6.0.
  (Assists) - Scott,Calli 48. (Dig leaders) - Meisner,Stacie 25;
  Johnson,Joanna 20; Scott,Calli 13; Kidwell,Rachel 10

  Site: Anchorage, Alaska (Wells Fargo Spts Com)
  Date: Sep 18, 2008   Attend: 472   Time: 1:53
  Referees: Stan Afoa, Willie Reeder
  Great Northwest Athletic Conference match