Sept. 28, 2006

Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Middle blocker Angie Alvord (So., Laurel/Meridian) had match-highs of 13 kills and four blocks and outside hitter Emily Castro (Jr., Bellingham/Meridian) added 11 kills as Western Washington University swept University of Alaska Anchorage, 30-20, 30-24, 30-20, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference volleyball match Thursday on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium.

The Vikings, ranked No.6 in the season's first Pacific Region rating released earlier this week, improved to 9-5 overall and 5-1 in the GNAC. Western has seven wins in its last eight matches after a 2-4 start.

"Alaska Anchorage can get you in some chaotic situations and we succumbed to that a little bit," said Western coach Diane Flick. "Once we showed our discipline, we were able to play our kind of ball."

UAA fell to 3-11 overall and 0-6 in the GNAC with its seventh consecutive loss. Outside hitter Heather Lyons led the Seawolves with 11 kills.

The Vikings trailed 12-10 in the opening game, but took the lead for good at 16-15 and later broke the game open with eight straight points to take a 26-17 lead. Castro had six of her kills in the opening game.

UAA again took a 12-10 lead in the second game, and led 22-21 before Western went on a 9-2 run to win 30-24.

The Vikings took early control of the third game, having a .474 attack percentage. Alvord had seven kills and no errors on 10 attempts in the final game, and closed the match out with a service ace.

"Go Meridian High School, Alvord and Castro both played well," Flick said. "Angie hit some spots and moved the ball around well. Our attack was good with not many errors. We have to do that."

Setter Katie Robinson (Jr., Everson/Nooksack Valley) had 41 assists and three service aces for Western, and libero Courtney Schneider (Jr., Snohomish) had a match-high 20 digs.

Western is 3-0 at home this season and 59-4 since 2000.

The Vikings entertain University of Alaska Fairbanks in a GNAC match Saturday (7 p.m.).