The University of Alaska Nanooks women’s volleyball team achieved its 12th consecutive victory last Thursday, defeating rival Alaska Anchorage 3-1 in front of a capacity crowd at the Patty Center. The win broke a tie between two teams that had both started their seasons with impressive 13-1 records. With this result, the Nanooks remain undefeated in Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) play at 5-0 and hold an overall record of 14-1.
Head coach Brian Scott, now in his 11th season, reflected on the significance of the packed arena. “I told my assistants and my wife that I just wanted to see that again someday,” said Scott, referencing a decades-old photograph of a full Patty Center from before his tenure. “I have never seen anything like that,” he added about Thursday’s turnout for ‘White Out Night.’ “It was kind of a surreal moment – it is something I have wanted for a while. It was about as filled to capacity as it could be in there. It was cool to see.”
Senior middle blocker Elizabeth Jackson described the atmosphere: “I swear I could feel the floor shaking. If you all keep showing up like that, it’ll be impossible for the ‘Nooks not to win.” Senior right side hitter Elena Guc contributed 13 kills and three block assists during the match. She remarked on the growth of fan support: “To see the difference in our home crowd even from just a few years ago to today has been so surreal and such a blessing to be a part of… From breaking the DII attendance record in Anchorage (last year) to breaking our home court record – it just goes to show Nanook Nation is unlike any other and what a gift from God that is.”
The Nanooks recently earned their first national ranking at No. 23 in last week’s American Volleyball Coaches Association top-25 poll. Their only loss this season came against Hawaii Hilo on August 29.
Fifth-year senior setter Ainsley Smith expressed gratitude for community support: “I am very blessed and thankful to God to be on a team that works hard every day in the gym and for a crowd that gives us so much love and support… Looking back to my freshman year when there were a few people in the stands, to now where we are breaking attendance records, all I have to say is thank you to Fairbanks for supporting us and believing in us.”
Guc leads Alaska with an average of 2.83 kills per set and is nearing her career milestone of 700 kills. Coach Scott praised her leadership: “She is a true leader on the court off the court… She was unanimously asked to be a captain and she is one of those people you can just rely on to give you a solid performance night in and night out.”
On defense, junior libero Tessa Onaga leads GNAC with 4.64 digs per set and has already reached 724 career digs. Scott called her one of the best liberos nationally: “She does such a great job of leading our serve-receive, leading our defense and helping control what happens in the back court… she seems to always make the right choices and right decisions.”
The team also saw contributions from junior returner Cynphany Henderson—who posted eight double-doubles this season—and her older sister Mikala Henderson, who returned for her fifth year after previously leaving volleyball. Cynphany recorded significant stats during Thursday’s game with 20 assists, 18 digs, seven kills, and four blocks; Mikala added 15 kills at .303 efficiency along with twelve digs.
Seniors Smith (5.11 assists per set) and Jackson (1.09 blocks per set) provide stability for Alaska’s lineup. Scott commented: “They both have a super steady presence, and you know exactly what you’re going to get night in and night out… They have been consistent performers their entire careers.”
Despite losing key players such as All-American Karli Nielson after last season’s second-place GNAC finish (21-7 overall), newcomers Peri Hoshock (transferred from The Citadel), Haylee Lyons (redshirt freshman), and Kelli Wright have made significant impacts this year.
Hoshock leads Alaska with 1.29 blocks per set; Lyons averages over two kills per set; Wright has returned after two years away from competition due to missionary work.
Last season, despite tying for fifth-most wins among Division II west region teams, Alaska did not qualify for its first NCAA playoff berth after finishing tenth in regional rankings—only eight advanced.
Coach Scott said his team remains motivated by unfinished business: “There is a feeling of some unfinished business – there was a little we left on the table last year that we want to rectify… We feel the chemistry is high and we have this unified vision of what we want to see happen this year.”
Scott’s tenure has marked substantial progress for Alaska volleyball since delivering its first winning season in over ten years during his fourth campaign in charge (2018). Since then, they’ve compiled an overall record above .570 across more than ten seasons.
Thursday’s win also marked Alaska’s third straight victory over Anchorage—a reversal from earlier years when UAA dominated head-to-head meetings.
Looking ahead, Alaska faces strong opposition including No.7 Simon Fraser on Thursday followed by No.19 Western Washington—both teams sit near the top of conference standings.
“This will be the toughest road trip of the year so far,” said Scott regarding upcoming matches across international borders into Canada against Simon Fraser before facing Western Washington later this week.”We just look forward to the opportunity to test ourselves… We like challenges and want to see if we are able to rise to the occasion.”
