
Hannah Trotter led UAA to a pair of wins Friday in Fairbanks. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
A lot of college volleyball teams run a 5-2 system with two setters, but not UAA.
Hannah Trotter handles the primary duties. It’s a tough job, but and the senior from Wauwatosa, Wis., has proven time and time again this season that she can handle the job on her own.
See Friday for example. Trotter dished out 53 assists in two matches and helped UAA hit .352 over six sets as the Seawolves swept Minnesota State and Tiffin in Fairbanks to extend their seven-match winning streak.
The Seawolves (7-2) will wrap up the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic at the Patty Center on Saturday morning against nationally ranked Fresno Pacific.
“I was really pleased with our execution and focus in both matches today,” UAA coach Morgan Hooe said in a statement. “We’re excited to end our non-conference season with a huge challenge tomorrow against a top-10 team.”
Trotter was the catalyst in Friday’s sweep. Whether it was bailing out her teammates on poor passes or putting the ball right on the money for hitters, she was the straw that stirred the drink.
Last year, Trotter shared setting duties with Johana Malikova, and the Anchorage teammates finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the GNAC in assists per set. Malikova, who graduated, averaged 7.86, while Trotter had 7.09.
This year, however, Trotter ranks third in the GNAC at 7.52.
In the first match Friday, UAA beat Mankato 25-22, 25-23, 25-14 behind Trotter’s 31 assists. Hitters Kyana Gabriel and Lee Ivakina each slammed nine kills and Bella Burney had seven.
UAA hit .360 and needed to rally in both the first two sets to highlight the sweep. Mankato led 22-19 in the first set and 21-16 in the second.
Trotter executed some tough sets on bad passes, including one time when she came in sliding on her knees to get the ball to Gabriel for a kill that provided match point in the second set.
In the nightcap, Trotter handed out 22 assists as UAA hit .345 and got 15 kills from Ivakina and eight from Gabriel.
After starting the season 0-2, the Seawolves have since rattled off seven straight victories and won 21 of 23 sets.
