Boxscore

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The Northwest Nazarene University volleyball team opened up Great Northwest Athletic Conference action with a sweep over the University of Alaska Fairbanks 25-16, 25-15, 25-20.

The Crusaders had a strong balanced attack as setter Michelle Terpstra had a match-high 23 assists and had 8 kills on 11 attempts. Freshman Elayna Rice had 9 kills on 18 attempts and added 8 digs. Linnea Phillips had a match-high 11 digs.

"We played a very clean match which kept the pressure on them," commented head coach Jared Sliger. "Michelle had a very good night distributing the ball and called her own number when she needed."

Sam Harthun led the Nanooks with 9 kills and Katlyn Mataya had 22 assists.

NNU had a team hitting percentage of .361 while UAF had a .090 percentage. 

The Crusaders start the GNAC season 1-0 and are now 7-3 overall. The Nanooks drop to 2-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play. 

NNU will now travel to Anchorage, Alaska to take on the Seawolves of UAA Saturday at 3 p.m.