BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University junior middle Kayleigh Harper recorded 14 kills and 6 blocks to help lead the No. 8 nationally-ranked Vikings to a 3-1 victory over Alaska Anchorage on Saturday evening in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action on WECU Court in Carver Gym. Game scores were 25-23, 18-25, 25-13, 25-11 in favor of the Vikings.
WWU remained atop the GNAC standings improving to 11-3 overall and 6-0 in league play. Alaska Anchorage falls to 11-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. Western has now won its last four matches vs. the Seawolves and has won 5 of the last 6 in the series.
Harper (Oak Harbor, WA) tied for the match high with 14 kills and was a key contributor at the net with 6 of WWU’s 14 blocks.
“Kayleigh was such a steady presence for us in the beginning of the match, offensively and defensively,” said head coach Diane Flick-Williams. “She becomes a huge distraction which helps everyone else have opportunities and the pins.”
Senior outside hitter Abby Phelps (Manson, WA/Chelan) recorded her 12th double-double of the season with 11 kills and 19 digs. She recorded 9 of her 11 kills over the final two sets after being limited to a pair of kills in the first two sets.
Junior defensive specialist Mae Thungc (Kent, WA/Kentridge) recorded 16 digs and was a key factor at the service line with one service ace. Senior outside hitter Taylor Lyall(Bellingham, WA/Sehome) recorded a career-high 3 service aces and added 3 digs.
“Mae and Taylor had some great service runs that created momentum for us at the service line,” said Flick-Williams. “Ali (Alison Davenport) and Abby (Phelps) also responded with their serve and the combination of a good serve and pass game was an important difference maker tonight.”
Junior middle Joslyn Bopray (Spokane, WA/Lewis & Clark) stepped into the starting lineup due to an injury to senior middle Michaela Hall (Centralia, WA) and provided a spark with 6 kills and 7 blocks. Redshirt freshman Gabby Gunterman (Lake Stevens, WA) added 9 kills and 5 digs.
“Joslyn hasn’t skipped a beat from her great season last year. I was so proud of her for not only what she contributed physically, but her presence and calm was a big factor in steadying us out after the second set,” added Flick-Williams.
Western out-blocked Anchorage 14.0 to 12.0, with sophomore Alison Davenport (Auburn, WA/Auburn Mountainview) adding 6 blocks and senior setter Brette Boesel (Brewster, WA) contributing 3 blocks (as well as a match-high 43 assists).
The Seawolves were led by 14 kills from freshman Eve Stephens, but the reigning AVCA National Player of the Week was limited to a .171 hitting percentage. Senior outside hitter Chrisalyn Johnson recorded a 10-kill, 14-dig double-double for the Seawolves.
The Vikings (11-3, 6-0 GNAC) face a quick turnaround playing Simon Fraser on Tuesday in GNAC action in West Gym in Burnaby, BC. WWU will then host Montana State Billings next Saturday, Sept. 29, in Carver Gym with first serve at 7 pm. Advance tickets are available online at WWUVikings.com/Tickets.
