Former East High star Avery Northcutt of Anchorage had a .333 attack percentage on 7-for-12 hitting Thursday. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
After the UAA volleyball team’s 3-1 home opener win over Saint Martin’s on Thursday night, a line snaked through the crowded Alaska Airlines Center. Fans of all stripes lined up, ready to fill their schedule posters with autographs.
Some snapped photos with their favorite Seawolves, and some simply stood nearby, ready to extend congratulations to players after the last autographs were signed.
The moment showed Avery Northcutt just why she decided to come back to Anchorage after two years at Western Texas College.
“It’s definitely shocking, especially being back at home, playing in front of my entire family,” she said, adding that even one of her preschool teachers came to support her. “It’s amazing. There’s nothing that can get better than that.”
The 6-foot-3 East High graduate, who contributed seven kills and four blocks to the Seawolves’ victory, transferred back to UAA last semester to be closer to her family. Coming back in the spring gave the junior middle blocker a chance to build relationships with her teammates prior to the season.
“We’re one big happy family, like, it’s amazing how close we are,” said Northcutt, later adding, “Our energy is so amazing because we are so close, we just pep each other up.”
Northcutt (right) celebrates with her teammates after winning a rally. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
The squad’s close camaraderie certainly shows on the court, where kills and blocks are greeted with raucous cheers. And it even showed on the sideline, where during a long point review delay, libero Reilly McCue did ‘the worm’ dance move after a long handstand to cheers from her teammates and crowd alike.
The Seawolves’ (7-6, 1-2 GNAC) home opener finally arrived after four weeks on the road zigzagging between Hawaii, South Dakota, Fairbanks and the Pacific Northwest.
UAA took early command after snagging the first two sets 25-21 and 25-15. Though the Seawolves struggled in the third set, they launched an impressive eight-point scoring streak near the end of the set before narrowly losing it by just three points (25-22).
The Seawolves regained their dominance in the fourth and final set, carrying the momentum through multiple scoring streaks to close it out 25-15.
“We were all just so eager to actually get out and play and represent our school. It’s an amazing feeling,” said Northcutt.
The Seawolves defend their home court again at 7 p.m. on Saturday night against Western Oregon.
Northcutt (right) is all smiles as she and the other UAA players sign autographs for UAA fans. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
