Gnac

The period of domination for the Seawolf cross country program extended into 2011, as both the men and women enjoyed undefeated regular seasons and swept the GNAC and West Region championships.  Individually, there were standouts as well.  Micah Chelino and Ruth Keino led the team efforts with title-winning performances in both the conference and regional meets.  At the NCAA Division II meet, both teams thrived again, as the men matched their...

UAA's title in the inaugural GNAC basketball tournament was fueled by the Seawolves' school record comeback effort in the semifinals.  Facing Seattle Pacific, the Seawolves trailed 39-24 at halftime, and fell behind by 19 early in the second half.  But UAA rallied all the way back to win, 68-66.  Three Seawolves scored 15 points each and Kaylie Robison sank the go-ahead bucket with just over a minute to play.  As usual for UAA under Tim Moser, defense...

Although the Seawolf women's basketball program has become an NCAA tournament regular under Tim Moser, UAA's postseason success included something unique this year: A title in the inaugural Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournament. Seeded second, the Seawolves took down Northwest Nazarene and Seattle Pacific at home to reach the finals where they upset top seeded Western Washington in Bellingham, 68-67, snapping the Vikings' 29-game home court winning streak. UAA finished the 2010-11 season 27-7 overall, before being knocked out in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

The Alaska Anchorage volleyball team has qualified to the NCAA Tournament, as the team slips in as the number eight seed in this weekends West Regional Championships.  This is the Seawolves fifth NCAA appearance overall and the teams third-straight year.  The Seawoves finished regular season 18-8 as the runner up in the GNAC, earning an at-large berth.  “It was an anxious wait, but we're happy to make it and looking forward to...

One day after earning a third straight NCAA tournament appearance in Division II, the UAA Volleyball team was well represented in the awards handed out by the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  Senior Outside Hitter Jackie Matthisen ( East Anchorage H.S. ) was recognized as GNAC Player of the Year.  Matthisen ranked second in the conference in kills per game and also had 14 matches this eason where she collected at least 10 kills and 10 digs.  Setter Kimya Jafroudi was named the league's Newcomer of the Year.  Jafroudi transferred to UAA from Orange Coast College and is a big reason why UAA is on pace to break the single season school record for team attack percentage.  And sophomore Robyn Burton ( Chugiak H.S )

The UAA volleyball team moved one victory away from securing a second conference title in three years by sweeping St. Martin's, 25-22, 26-24, 25-7 on Thursday night.  The win gives the Seawolves a 14-3 mark in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. UAA is now tied for first place with Seattle Pacific with one match to play, but the Seawolves own the tiebreaker edge against the Falcons.  If the Seawolves claim the GNAC title, they win also earn the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Division II tournament.  Against St. Martin's, Jackie Matthisen led the UAA offense with 13 kills while Robyn Burton had seven blocks.  Setter Kimya Jafroudi contributed 38 assists as the Seawolves pulled ahead in the third after an evenly played first two games.

Despite two big wins last week and a 13-3 record in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, the UAA volleyball team faces must-wins in its final two regular season matches.  The Seawolves move up one spot in the final west region poll of the season to number eight, right on the fringe of the NCAA Division II tournament.  Eight schools from the west makes the NCAA tourney field, which will be announced on Sunday. UAA visits St. Martin's on Thursday and Western Oregon on Saturday.  Victories in both matches will actually secure the GNAC title and an automatic NCAA berth, but a loss in either one could prove costly.

UAA's Jackie Matthisen had 27 kills to help her team to a strong start Saturday, but it would not be enough to top 24th-ranked Seattle Pacific.  The Falcons fought hard with a 18-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-23 victory in a showdown for first place in the GNAC volleyball standings. The loss halted a four-match winning streak for Seawolves while the Falcons won their sixth straight. UAA has four matches remaining as they chase a third straight NCAA berth, beginning Thursday at home against Northwest Nazarene.

The top hitting team in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference came up big in a critical league match on Thursday.  UAA downed Montana State-Billings in a three-game sweep, 25-19, 25-23, 25-20 to move into a tie with Seattle Pacific for the conference lead.  Both schools are 11-2 in conference play and square off on Saturday. Jackie Matthisen led the Seawolves with 15 kills, while Ariel Austin floored 9 kills on 20 attempts.  UAA, which leads the GNAC in hitting percentage with a season average of .232, hit for a .257 attack rate against the Yellowjackets.

In a match that will likely go a long way towards determining the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title, the UAA Seawolves controlled play from start to finish and swept Western Washington, 25-12, 25-23, 25-15 Thursday night to move into a tie for the conference lead.  UAA improves to 9 and 2 in league play, even with Seattle Pacific atop the standings.  The Vikings drop to 9 and 3 in the GNAC. Jackie Matthisen led the Seawolves with 12 kills, but it was far from a singular effort.  UAA showed balance throughout, with Robyn Burton, Ariel Austin, and Nikkie Viotto all contributing 8 kills.