FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Tiffin University volleyball team continued action at the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic on Friday, falling to ninth-ranked Fresno Pacific University in straight sets (25-20, 25-15, 25-16) inside Alaska Airlines Gymnasium. The 'Gons would fall in another competitive three set battle, this time falling to (RV) University of Alaska Anchorage (18-25, 9-25, 19-25).
Game One: No. 9 Fresno Pacific University 3, Tiffin 0 (F)
The Dragons battled early against one of the nation's top programs, holding a 12-12 tie midway through the opening set before Fresno Pacific used a late run to secure a 25-20 victory. The Sunbirds carried that momentum into the second set, building a 12-5 advantage on their way to a 25-15 win before completing the sweep with a 25-16 decision in the third set.
Katelyn Owens led the Dragon attack with a team-high seven kills while posting an impressive .538 hitting percentage.
Amber Czerniak added seven kills, two service aces, and seven digs.
Setter
Kat Akolzin directed the offense with 23 assists while also recording five digs and an ace.
Lexi Barber matched a season-best eight digs. As a team, Tiffin finished with 31 kills and a .154 attack percentage while Fresno Pacific hit .398 and totaled 77 kills to remain undefeated.
Game Two: (RV) University of Alaska Anchorage 3, Tiffin 0 (F)
The Dragons battled throughout the opening set and trailed just 7-6 after five early kills from
Jada Shade. Later, back-to-back kills from
Rian Strickland and
Amber Czerniak helped Tiffin close within 21-17 before Anchorage closed out the frame.
The Seawolves seized control early in the second set, using a lengthy serving run to build a 15-2 advantage. Tiffin received kills from
Parker Vackert,
Kennedi Culp,
Rian Strickland, and
Amber Czerniak down the stretch, but Anchorage carried the momentum into a 25-9 victory.
In the third set, the Dragons found their rhythm offensively and posted a team-best .200 attack percentage with 12 kills. Tiffin trimmed the deficit to 21-17 behind consecutive points from
Amber Czerniak and a service ace from
Taylor Kirker, but Anchorage answered late to secure the match.
Amber Czerniak led the Dragons offensively with 11 kills while adding four digs.
Jada Shade followed with 10 kills, and
Kat Akolzin directed the offense with 27 assists. Defensively, libero
Morgan Morley collected a team-high nine digs, while
Katelyn Owens contributed a pair of kills and three blocks
Tiffin will close out its trip to Alaska with a 6:30 p.m. / 2:30 (AKST) matchup against Minnesota State inside the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium.
