FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Tiffin University volleyball team faced another tough test in its young season on Thursday night, taking on nationally ranked No. 16 Alaska Fairbanks in an 11 p.m. Eastern Time start. The Nanooks claimed a three-set victory (25-17, 25-22, 25-7) in the opening match for both programs in the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic.
The opening set featured 15 ties and five lead changes as the teams battled through the early stages. Tiffin trailed 14-9 before cutting the deficit to 15-13 behind consecutive service aces from
Morgan Morley, but the Nanooks answered and closed out a 25-17 win.
Tiffin showed its strongest play during the second set, pushing the Nanooks deep into the frame before Alaska Fairbanks pulled away late to secure a 25-22 victory. The Dragons hit .200 as the teams were tied at 17-all before Alaska Fairbanks used a late run to gain separation. Tiffin responded with kills from
Parker Vackert and
Kat Akolzin and a service ace from
Morgan Morley to pull within 22-21, but the hosts secured the final three points needed for the set victory.
No. 16 Alaska Fairbanks controlled the third set from the outset, building an 8-3 advantage and never looking back on the way to a 25-7 decision to complete the sweep.
Parker Vackert totaled five kills, while
Rian Strickland added four with
Kat Akolzin chipping in 15 assists.
Morgan Morley recorded a team-high 15 digs and added four service aces, while
Katelyn Owens chipped in a kill along with a block solo and an assisted block.
As a team, Tiffin finished with 21 kills, 33 digs, four service aces, and five total team blocks. The Nanooks hit .372 for the match and were led by Cori Leavitt's 11 kills.
Up next, the Dragons continue play in Alaska on Friday as they will look to bounce back on Friday with matchups against No. 9 Fresno Pacific (4:30 p.m. / 12:30 p.m. AKST) and (RV) University of Alaska Anchorage (7 p.m. / 3 p.m. AKST).
