Seawolves survive upset bid by Saint Martin’s volleyball team

It was a sweep, but it wasn’t a breeze.

The UAA volleyball team survived a tough match against Saint Martin’s on Thursday, taking a three-set victory over a team searching for its second win of the season.

A trio of sophomores led the Seawolves statistically in the 26-24, 25-17, 26-24 win at the Alaska Airlines Center. Eve Stephens ripped 15 kills, Ellen Floyd handed out 40 assists and Talia Leauanae made 16 digs.

UAA (21-6 overall, 16-3 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) survived Saint Martin’s upset bid behind strong hitting. Stephens and Vera Pluharova both posted .538 attack percentages -- they combined for 22 kills and one error -- and the team finished with a solid .357 percentage.

Even so, Saint Martin’s (1-27, 1-18) made the Seawolves sweat in the first and third sets.

The Saints were one point away from victory in the first set, 24-21, but were denied five straight times by the Seawolves, who took the set 26-24 on a kill by junior Kayla McGlathery.

UAA controlled the second set, using a 5-0 run late to take a 24-15 lead. Another kill by McGlathery sealed the win.

In the third set, Saint Martin’s led 4-1 early and 14-12 later. UAA went on an 8-0 run to seize a 20-14 lead, but Saint Martin’s answered with a 5-0 run to make it 20-19. The score was tied twice, 23-23 and 24-24, before the Seawolves ended things with consecutive kills by McGlathery and freshman Hannah Pembroke.

McGlathery and senior Vanessa Hayes each finished with nine kills and Pluharova added seven. Stephens contributed to five blocks and McGlathery was in on four.

Saint Martin’s got a match-high 16 kills from Mackenzie Carter and a match-high 29 digs from Kylie Alos. The Saints outdug UAA 54-48 but made 19 hitting errors en route to a .175 attack percentage.

UAA returns to the court Saturday for its final home appearance of the season. The match against Seattle Pacific begins at 7 p.m.

The Seawolves can finish no lower than second in the GNAC standings. They’re one game behind first-place Western Washington (25-2, 17-2); if they win and the Vikings lose on Saturday, the teams will share the GNAC regular-season crown.