The 16th-ranked Nanooks won three of four matches at the Alaska/Hawaii Challenge in Hilo. Photo by Nathan Pearsall/UAF
Alaska college volleyball players returned from a trip to Hawaii with more than a tan.
The Nanooks and Seawolves both built their chops, developed chemistry and made adjustments that allowed them to avenge losses almost immediately.
Nationally ranked UAF finished the three-day Alaska/Hawaii Challenge with a 3-1 record and in its final match swept Hawaii Hilo a day after losing to the Vulcans in four sets.
UAA started with a thud before ending with a bang, going 2-2 and sweeping Chaminade in its final match two days after getting swept by the Silverswords, the No. 2 preseason pick out of the Pac West.
UAF’s Tessa Onaga and Haylee Lyons were named to the Hawaii/Alaska Challenge All-Tournament Team. Photo by Nathan Pearsall/UAF
UAF’s Haylee Lyons of Kaimuki, Hawaii, returned to her old stomping grounds and was named MVP of the Alaska/Hawaii Challenge after hammering 52 kills in four matches with a .308 attack percentage. She furnished a double-double against Hilo with 15 kills and 15 digs.
Fairbanks defensive specialist Tessa Onaga is from Honolulu and joined Lyons on the all-tournament team. The returning All-GNAC libero racked up 87 digs in four matches to go with four aces and 12 assists.
UAA’s Lee Ivakina was named to the all-tournament team and ranked among the leaders with 42 kills and .295 attack percentage.
The returning All-GNAC hitter was clutch in the sweep over Chaminade, blasting 14 kills and a career-best .462 attack percentage in the 25-22, 25-13, 25-22 victory.
Lee Ivakina was the lone UAA player to earn all-tournament honors. Photo by Spencer Honda/Hawaii Hilo
The Seawolves got six kills on .500 hitting, six blocks and two aces from Martina Riba, who finished the tournament with 16 blocks to match the total of UAF’s Presley Engelauf, Cori Leavitt and Peri Hoshock.
Seawolf newcomer Kyana Gabriel, another flying Hawaiian, collected 35 kills in four matches and provided some much-needed offensive punch that allowed UAA to bounce back from an 0-2 start to the season under first-year coach Morgan Hooe to beat Hawaii Pacific and Chaminade.
“Our players did a fantastic job of making the proper adjustments after our first loss on Thursday, and it paid off with a great win,” Hooe said in a statement. “Lee and the rest of our hitters were able to find the holes in their defense, and our overall offensive balance continued to pay dividends. We’re excited to get home and play in front of our home fans next week.”
The Seawolves make their Alaska Airlines Center debut on Thursday in the Seawolf Invitational, which features UAF, Chico State and Lenoir-Rhyne.
College Volleyball
Seawolf Invitational
At Alaska Airlines Center
Thursday
10:30am TWU vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
3:00pm Chico State vs. UAF
7:30pm TWU vs. UAA
Friday
10:30am Chico State vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
3:00pm UAF vs. TWU
7:30pm Lenoir-Rhyne vs. UAA
Saturday
9:00am Chico State vs. TWU
1:00pm Lenoir-Rhyne vs. UAF
5:00pm Chico State vs. UAA
