FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Western Washington University volleyball team earned a split in its annual Alaska road trip, defeating the University of Alaska Fairbanks in four sets Saturday on Al the Patty Center.
The No.10 nationally ranked Vikings improved to 9-4 overall and 4-1 in the GNAC with a 25-23, 25-15, 20-25, 25-17 triumph. The Nanooks fell to 13-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
The victory marked the 1,000th all-time win in program history for WWU Volleyball, building a 1000-576-7 for a .634 winning percentage. 23rd-year head coach Diane Flick-Williams has been front-and-center for 494 of those victories during the 51-year history of the program.
"I thought we bounced back well from Thursday and are taking some great lessons back with us," said Flick-Williams. "Our middles were outstanding for us today and that takes good first balls and good sets from Malia (Aleaga). Alaska is a tough place to play so it's great to come out with a W.
"I'm so proud to be a part of the 1000th win for the program. There are so many people and memories that come to mind with this, and so many people to thank. On behalf of our program, we would like to thank all those who were apart of this and know whose shoulders we stand on."
Senior middles Olivia Fairchild and Chloe Roetcisoender played a major role in the victory. Fairchild had 14 kills in an errorless 27 attempts (.519) and added nine blocks. Roetcisoender had 12 kills and eight blocks for 16.5 points. The Vikings had a total of 17 blocks, holding UAF to .071 attack efficiency.
Senior Calley Heilborn added eight kills, six blocks and 16 digs for Western and senior setter Malia Aleaga directed the offense with 34 assists and 11 digs. Senior libero Kasey Woodruff recorded a team-high 19 digs.
Rilee White had 14 kills for the Nanooks. Karli Nielson added 13 kills, and Jessa Long had a match-high 34 digs.
The Vikings (9-4, 4-1 GNAC) return home to Carver Gym next week hosting Central Washington on Thursday and Northwest Nazarene on Saturday, with both GNAC matches featuring a 7 pm first serve. The complete 2022 WWU Volleyball schedule, with links to statistics, webcasts, live stats and more can be found online at wwuvikings.com/VB.
Kills – Fairchild (14), Roetcisoender (12), Heilborn (8)
Aces – Aleaga (2), Gunterman (1), Lologo (1)
Blocks – Fairchild (9), Roetcisoender (8), Heilborn (6)
Assists – Aleaga (34), Woodruff (2), Fairchild (1)
Digs – Woodruff (19), Heilborn (16), Aleaga (11)
Points – Fairchild (19.5), Roetcisoender (16.5), Heilborn (12.0)
VIKINGS RECORD MILETONE 1000th VICTORY
The WWU volleyball program is in its 51st season have recorded 1,000 wins in program history. The Vikings have combined to go 1000-576-7 for a .634 winning percentage.
Here is a look at Western's record breakdown for the 2022 season:
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2022 RECORD BREAKDOWN
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|
Overall Record
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9-4
|
|
Streak
|
W1
|
|
Home
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7-0
|
|
Away
|
1-1
|
|
Neutral
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1-3
|
|
GNAC Record
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4-1
|
|
3-Set Matches
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6-1
|
|
4-Set Matches
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2-0
|
|
5-Set Matches
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1-2
|
|
Ranked Opponents
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2-4
|
|
Winning First Set
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9-1
|
|
Dropping First Set
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0-3
|
|
Record by Jersey
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|
White
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3-1
|
|
Light Blue
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3-1
|
|
Dark Gray
|
3-0
|
|
Navy Blue
|
0-2
|
Here is a match-by-match look at the 2022 season following Saturday's match at UAF:
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Date
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Opponent
|
|
Score
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Score-by-set
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8/25
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Ferris State (#20)
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W
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3-0
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25-8,25-19,29-27
|
|
8/25
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Sonoma State
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W
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3-0
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25-20,25-21,25-20
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|
8/26
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Regis (RV)
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W
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3-1
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25-16,18-25,27-25,25-21
|
|
8/27
|
Cal State LA (RV)
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W
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3-0
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25-20,25-21,26-24
|
|
9/2
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Lewis (#18)
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W
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3-2
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25-22,22-25,22-25,25-21,15-9
|
|
9/2
|
Concordia-St. Paul (#6)
|
L
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2-3
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19-25,25-21,12-25,25-19,12-15
|
|
9/3
|
NW Missouri State (#10)
|
L
|
1-2
|
25-22,16-25,16-25,21-25
|
|
9/3
|
West Florida (#5)
|
L
|
2-3
|
23-25,20-25,25-21,25-22,19-21
|
|
9/8
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Seattle Pacific (GNAC)
|
W
|
3-0
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25-19,25-17,25-23
|
|
9/10
|
Montana St. Billings (GNAC)
|
W
|
3-0
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25-15,25-20,25-17
|
|
9/17
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Simon Fraser (GNAC)
|
W
|
3-0
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25-16,25-21,25-20
|
|
9/22
|
at Alaska Anchorage (#14, GNAC)
|
L
|
0-3
|
22-25,19-25,22-25
|
|
9/24
|
at Alaska Fairbanks (GNAC)
|
W
|
3-1
|
25-23,25-15,20-25,25-17
|
|
9/29
|
Central Washington (GNAC)
|
|
|
7:00 pm – Carver Gym
|
|
10/1
|
Northwest Nazarene (GNAC)
|
|
|
7:00 pm – Carver Gym
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SERIES HISTORY VS. ALASKA FAIRBANKS
WWU recorded its 50th all-time victory over Alaska Fairbanks, improving to 50-7 all-time against the Nanooks. The Vikings are 40-3 in GNAC matches and won 26 consecutive matches vs. UAF dating back to 2008. Saturday's victory extended the Vikings winning streak in Fairbanks to 13 consecutive matches.
Fans can follow WWU Volleyball online at WWUVikings.com/VB, and via social media on Twitter (@WWUVolleyball), Instagram (@WWUVB)and Facebook (@WWUVolleyball). All home matches feature a live webcast, as well as most road matches, with links on how to follow the games available at WWUVikings.com/Live.
The WWU Volleyball program is in its 51st season as a varsity intercollegiate sport in 2022, rising to an elite level by advancing to the NCAA Division II Championships in each of the last nine seasons and 15 of the last 20 dating back to the 2001 season. The program has recorded 1,000 all-time wins (1000-576-7/.634). The winner of 11 Great Northwest Athletic Conference, the Vikings have won the last four GNAC titles with a perfect 19-1 record in 2017, perfect 20-0 mark in 2018, an 18-2 league record in 2019 and clinched the four-peat with a 17-1 record in 2021. Led by 23rd-year head coach Diane Flick-Williams (494-121/.803) the Vikings have posted a 245-51 record over the last 11 seasons (.828 winning percentage) and played in the NCAA II West Region championship match five out of the last six seasons (2015-21), winning titles in 2015, 2018 and 2021 (also 2007). WWU played for the NCAA II national championship in 2007 and 2018, both national runner-up finishes, and have advanced to the NCAA Final Four in three of the past six seasons (2015, 2018, 2021).
