Sports

Old beats new when alumni top UAA volleyball team in exhibition match

Coaches in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference have so much respect for the UAA volleyball team that they made the Seawolves their preseason pick to win the league.

But the stars of today couldn't handle the stars of yesterday Saturday night in an exhibition match at the Alaska Airlines Center.

Jackie Matthisen, a former UAA middle hitter who now coaches the Bartlett High volleyball team, racked up nine kills and 16 digs to help the Seawolf Alumni beat UAA 25-22, 15-25, 25-22, 15-13.

After the Seawolves dominated the second set to tie the match, the Alumni's McKenzie Moss took over in the third set, connecting for five of her 10 kills.

Maureen Sabado, who graduated last fall, also had 10 kills and former all-conference setter Calli Scott was all over the court for the Alumni with seven kills, seven digs and 14 assists. Scott shared the setting duties with another former all-conference performer, Kimya Jafroudi, who added 16 assists and seven digs.

The Seawolves got a match-high 15 kills apiece from redshirt freshman Leah Swiss and senior Julia Mackey.

Making an encouraging debut for UAA was freshman outside hitter Chrisalyn Johnson, who like Swiss starred in high school for the Dimond Lynx. She had six kills, 10 digs and three block assists.

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Junior setter Morgan Hooe dished 32 assists and junior Erin Braun added a match-high six block assists for UAA.

The Seawolves begin the season for real on Thursday when they open the SpringHill Suites Invitational against Azusa Pacific in a match that begins at 6 p.m. at the Alaska Airlines Center.

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