Western Oregon Journal

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The Western volleyball team rolled to its second-straight victory on Saturday evening, Oct. 29, in the New PE building. The Wolves beat the Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks 30-22, 30-19, 20-23 in three-straight games to wrap up a sweep of the Alaska schools last week. Western defeated Alaska Anchorage 3-1 on Thursday, Oct. 27, by a score of 30-27, 30-27, 24-30, 30-28.

The two wins raised Western's record to 10-12 overall and 8-6 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, good for fifth place, while Alaska Anchorage dropped to 6-17 overall and 3-13 in the GNAC and Alaska Fairbanks to 1-18 overall and 1-14 in GNAC play. T

Freshman outside hitter Katrina Johnson led the Wolves in the two matches, recording 19 kills on Thursday against Alaska Anchorage and 13 against the Nanooks of Fairbanks. Sophomore outside hitter Stacie Matz added 14 kills, and senior setter Shawn Paulino had 12 against Alaska Anchorage. Paulino also had 10 digs and 45 assists in that contest.

Against Alaska Fairbanks, Paulino chipped in 12 kills once again, as well as 33 assists. Sophomore libero Claire Carpenter continued her steady play on the season with 27 digs. Junior Nicole Kludt also had 12 on the night.

The Wolves never trailed the Nanooks until the third game of the night, falling behind three times in the early going. However, after an 8-8 deadlock, the Wolves outscored Alaska Fairbanks 22-15 to notch the win. A kill by freshman outside hitter Brianne Sykes ended the game and the match.

Next up for Western is a tough road swing up to two of the GNAC Washington schools, No. 14 nationally-ranked Central Washington, which is currently tied for second place in the conference standings just a half-game back of No. 16 Seattle Pacific, and Western Washington, which currently sits in fourth place. The Wolves face Central Washington on Thursday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m., and Western Washington on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m.

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