FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Northwest Nazarene University volleyball team fell in five sets 18-25, 25-13, 24-26, 25-15, 11-15 on Saturday afternoon at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the final match of the season for the Crusaders.
The Crusaders, who finish the season 15-14 overall and 8-8 in GNAC play, were led by
Alaina Barber with 15 kills, Carly Dranginis added 13 and senior
Cammy Dranginis finished with 10 kills and four blocks.
“It was tough to lose tonight's match, but even tougher to lose this group of seniors,” commented NNU head coach Jared Sliger. “They have contributed so much during their time in the program and we will miss them.”
UAF (12-15, 6-10 GNAC) was led by Megan Thigpen with 20 kills, Jessica Hill with 17, and Heather Lyons finished with 15. Alexa Sherman led all setters with 52 assists.
Despite out-hitting Alaska Fairbanks .239 to .156 and out-blocking the Nanooks 10-4 in the match, the Crusaders hit only .182 in the final set to fall 15-11.
Haley Hevern completed a stellar season in the back row with a match-high 25 digs.
Northwest Nazarene vs Alaska Fairbanks
(Nov 14, 2009 at Fairbanks, AK)
Alaska Fairbanks def. Northwest Nazarene 25-18,13-25,26-24,15-25,15-11
Northwest Nazarene (15-14, 8-9) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
Barber,Alaina 15-0-0; Dranginis,Carly 13-0-3; Dranginis,Cammy 10-0-4;
Grant,Lindsay 8-0-1; Flores,Becky 7-0-5; Punimata,Eki 2-2-0;
VanElderen,Kelly 2-0-5; Higginson,Amy 2-1-0; Abbott,Haley 1-0-1;
Totals 60-3-10.0. (Assists) - Punimata,Eki 30; Higginson,Amy 19. (Dig
leaders) - Hevern,Haley 25; Grant,Lindsay 14; Trautmann,Kailey 11
Alaska (12-15, 6-10) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Thigpen,Megan
20-2-1; Hill,Jessica 17-2-2; Lyons,Heather 15-0-1; Refuerzo,Melissa
5-1-0; Sherman,Alexa 2-0-0; Gage,Erica 1-0-2; Wikander,Marybeth 0-0-1;
Totals 60-5-4.0. (Assists) - Sherman,Alexa 52. (Dig leaders) -
Lyons,Heather 13; Sherman,Alexa 13; Oddy,Allison 12; Thigpen,Megan 9
Site: Fairbanks, AK (Patty Center)
Date: Nov 14, 2009 Attend: 292 Time: 1:15
Referees: Patrick Wallace, Jason Colquhoun
