Pioneers sweep Bellarmine on first day of Nanook Classic

  • September 3, 2010

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The Pioneer women's volleyball team improved to 2-0 on the season with a 3-0 sweep over Bellarmine University in the first round of the Nanook Classic Tournament hosted by University Alaska-Fairbanks on Friday night. The Pioneers triumphed in three sets, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18.

Brianna Bryant's kill enabled the Pioneers to win the first set. Back-to-back kills by Katie Allen broke a 23-23 tie and gave the Pioneers a 25-23 victory in the second set. East Bay led throughout the third set to take the match.

As a team, the Pioneers recorded 42 kills and hit for a .297 percentage. For the second straight match, Allen had 12 kills. She hit for a .409 percentage. Jit Athwal, who hit at a .364 clip, followed Allen with 10 kills.

Bryant contributed to the Pioneer victory with nine kills and three blocks while K.C.Walsh anchored the offense with 20 assists. Lauren Massa had another solid defensive performance with 17 digs.

The Pioneers will conclude tournament play on Sept. 4 with a pair of matches against Charleston University and Alaska-Fairbanks.