By WWU sports information staff
The No. 4 nationally-ranked Western Washington University volleyball team continued its winning ways, recording its 19th consecutive victory, with a 3-0 road sweep at Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday afternoon in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at the Alaska Airlines Court.
The Vikings improved to 19-3 overall and remain perfect in GNAC play at 14-0 with the 25-22, 25-20, 25-20 straight-set victory. WWU has won its last 32 GNAC contests dating back to last season. Alaska Fairbanks had its seven-match winning streak snapped to fall to 10-11 overall and 8-6 in conference play.
“Today was a great defensive effort with 14 blocks and 54 digs in three sets,” said coach Diane Flick-Williams. “Mae (Thungc) was a water bug in the back grow, digging a ton of balls.”
The Vikings defense was led by a match-high 22 digs by junior libero Mae Thungc, a Kentridge graduate, and five blocks each by senior outside hitter Abby Phelps and senior middle Michaela Hall. WWU out-blocked the Nanooks 14.0 to 4.0, and had a 54-43 advantage in digs.
In addition to her five blocks, Phelps recorded a 11-kill, 16-dig double-double and tallied a match-high 15.5 points. With her 11 kills, Phelps moved into third place in GNAC history with 1,464 career kills.
Hall added 10 kills and junior middle Kayleigh Harper contributed eight kills and three blocks. Senior setter Brette Boesel quarterbacked the offense with 34 assists.
The Vikings (19-3, 14-0 GNAC) will have a quick turnaround, hosting Simon Fraser on Tuesday night at Carver Gym in Bellingham for a 7 p.m. GNAC match, and then conclude the busy week of four matches in eight days traveling to face Montana State Billings on Thursday. Both matches will be stream live and feature live statistical updates at GNAC.tv.
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