Volleyball

The University of Alaska Anchorage volleyball team took a hit on the road Saturday night, dropping three games in a row to Central Washington. The loss officially eliminates the defending Great Northwest Athletic Conference champs from this year’s title race. The Seawolves need a strong finish in their two home games next week in order to have a chance at qualifying for the NCAA tournament. Contact Charlie Sokaitis at csokaitis@ktuu.com

The Cook Inlet Conference volleyball championship game was contested Saturday evening at Service High School, as unbeaten South matched up against Dimond. South took the first frame 25-16, continuing on to a three-game sweep despite Dimond’s attempts to mount an attack on the Wolverines’ strong defense. The win earns South not only the CIC crown, but also a high seed at the state championships. “We all just played together, and I thought that any time we play together we can take on anybody -- we played pretty hard, I thought we deserved it,” said South’s Morgan Hooe.

In a match reminiscent of their classic 2008 state final, Dimond outlasted Chugiak 22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 16-14 to reach the finals of the Cook Inlet Conference volleyball tournament. The Lynx will play South in the title match. The unbeaten Wolverines downed Eagle River in three games, 25-11, 25-11, 25-16. The CIC will send three teams to next week's state tournament. The Mustangs and Wolves face off for that third seed at 4 p.m. Saturday. The Lynx and Wolverines follow at 6 p.m. Both matches are at Service High School.

Regional top seeds South and Chugiak opened the Cook Inlet Conference volleyball tournament with three-game sweeps on Wednesday, placing both programs one victory away from advancing to the state tournament. South, which finished league play 14 and 0, took down Bartlett, 25-13, 25-19, 25-9. The Wolverines will face either East or Eagle River in the semifinals. Chugiak defeated West, 25-13, 25-18, 25-19. Either Service or Dimond awaits the Mustangs. The top three teams qualify for next week's state tourney.

It's crunch time for the University of Alaska Anchorage volleyball squad, as the Seawolves looked to protect their No. 7 ranking in the West Region Thursday night. The top eight teams make the NCAA playoffs, and UAA delivered a four-game win over Northwest Nazarene, 22-25, 25-18, 25-20, 25-22. Lee Golden picked up a career-high 15 kills in the match. UAA is up to 16 and 7 overall, 11 and 4 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with three matches to play. Contact Kevin Wells at kwells@ktuu.

The University of Alaska Anchorage volleyball team was matched up Saturday against one of the strongest teams in Division II: Seattle Pacific University and its 21-1 record. The Seawolves looked to attack early and often in the first game, soon tying the score at 22. Cortney Lundberg used finesse to defeat a block by SPU, giving UAA the lead by a point. On the ensuing serve, a tremendous back-and-forth occurred between the two sides’ stout defenses, until the Seawolves’ Jackie Matthisen ended the rally to open UAA’s lead to 24-22.

In Friday’s Cook Inlet Conference volleyball regular-season finale, South was looking to complete a 14-game undefeated streak in league play after hosting Dimond. For the match’s opening serve, the Wolverines went to Shelby Stoner, who quickly put South on the board. Lindsey Logan also chipped in during the first game, helping South win tight rallies. The Wolverines ultimately won in three games, ensuring that they'll be the favorite at regionals. Contact Kevin Wells at kwells@ktuu.

By this time next week, prep volleyball teams will be looking toward the postseason. What better way to prepare than with a miniature state tournament? Some 18 schools are in Anchorage this weekend for the Dimond-Service tournament, which is too big for just one facility. With 3A and 4A classifiactions represented, players say it's nice to get a peek at what lurks around the corner. “This is when we get to see how who is doing, who has the players, who doesn't -- who has the teams that will pull through at the end,” said Chugiak’s Krysten LaBrecque.

The University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Alaska Fairbanks volleyball teams met in Fairbanks Saturday night. The Seawolves scored revenge for a loss to the Nanooks earlier this season, winning the match 3-1. Cortney Lundberg led the way with 14 kills, while Robyn Burton added 13 of her own to the night’s tally.

Coaches talk all the time about being in mid-season form. That's exactly what Coach Chris Green is seeing out of his UAA volleyball squad. The Seawolves can't be counted out of the GNAC title race. They've won five out of six to reach 6-3 in conference. UAA can avenge one of those defeats Saturday at UAF. It’ll be an important trip for some of the Seawolves who grew up watching the rivalry. "To play against a crowd is almost as fun as playing with a crowd.