Seawolves fend off spirited Alumni in 5

ANCHORAGE ? Senior outside hitters Rachel Kidwell and Rhea Cardwell combined for 25 kills and 28 digs Saturday as the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team began its season with a 25-18, 23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-10 exhibition victory over a team of Seawolf alumni and other local players at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

The Alumni were led by 13 kills and 15 digs from former all-conference outside hitter O'Lita McWilliams (2002-03), and 16 digs from outside hitter Lucia Shyiak, the wife of UAA hockey coach Dave Shyiak and a former Div. II All-American at Northern Michigan (1997-98).

New UAA setter Calli Scott, a junior transfer from Glendale (Ariz.) Community College, dished 32 assists and served three consecutive aces to begin the fifth set. The Seawolves served seven of their 16 aces in the final set, including three of Joanna Johnson's match-high five aces.

Cardwell finished with 13 kills, a .290 hitting percentage and 11 digs, while Kidwell had 12 kills and match-high 17 digs. UAA also got impressive debuts from true freshman McKenzie Moss (5 kills, match-high .333 hitting pct.) and sophomore transfer Cortney Lundberg (6 kills, .333, 2 solo blocks).

Seawolf all-time assist leader Janelle Veith (1998-01) led the Alumni with 34 assists and made 11 digs, while outside hitter Vanessa (Tsukano) Epure (1997-00) delivered eight kills and 13 digs.

The Seawolves begin the regular season Thursday, Aug. 28, when they host 13th-ranked Central Missouri at 7:30 p.m. at the WFSC.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Rhea Cardwell: OH; 5' 10"; Junior

#8 Joanna Johnson: OH; 5' 10"; Junior

#2 Rachel Kidwell: OH; 5' 10"; Junior

#13 Cortney Lundberg: MB; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#6 McKenzie Moss: OH; 5' 11"; Freshman

#4 Calli Scott: S; 5' 8"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#10 Rhea Cardwell
: 5' 10"; Junior
: OH

#8 Joanna Johnson
: 5' 10"; Junior
: OH

#2 Rachel Kidwell
: 5' 10"; Junior
: OH

#13 Cortney Lundberg
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: MB

#6 McKenzie Moss
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: OH

#4 Calli Scott
: 5' 8"; Junior
: S