Fairbanks, Alaska - Fresno Pacific survived a scare against Humboldt State before sweeping past Alaska Fairbanks on its home court to complete an undefeated weekend and win the Nanook Classic on Saturday. Hannah Butler and Rupia Inck were named to the all-tournament team. Butler set the tournament's all-time record for digs with 77 in three matches.


#12 Fresno Pacific def. Alaska Fairbanks 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-18)

FPU hit .364 as a team, including .500 in the second set, as the Sunbirds cruised past Alaska Fairbanks to seal the tournament win. Morghan Williams led the way with 13 kills and a .545 attack percentage to complete a very strong weekend by the sophomore middle blocker.

"She has become the most consistent hitter on our team," said head coach Kelly Winter. "She was our go-to and has done a great job of filling the void at that middle blocker spot."

Bissie DenHartog posted her second double-double of the weekend, finishing with 34 assists and 10 digs.

"Bissie is doing a great job," said Winter. "We were really happy with her performance this weekend. She's just so level-headed, keeps our team calm and gives our hitters a lot of confidence."

Jessie Alcorn added 10 kills in the win and Rupia Inck had eight with no errors. Rebecca Waller finished with seven kills and hit .500. Hannah Butler completed a stellar weekend by leading the team with 16 digs.

Winter says this weekend has prepared the team for tougher competition next weekend at the UCSD Invitational in San Diego, where the Sunbirds will take on #14 Cal State San Bernardino and #22 UC San Diego.

"We got better and better as this weekend went on and by the last match we were clicking on all cylinders offensively and playing great defense," she said. "We were tested a little bit and that is exactly what you want out of a preseason tournament like this. I think our team is determined and focused on the road ahead."

#12 Fresno Pacific def. Humboldt State 3-2 (19-25, 25-13, 23-25, 25-14, 15-12)

FPU battled back from a 2-1 deficit to survive an upset bid from unranked Humboldt State on Saturday in the first of two matches at the Nanook Classic. Rupia Inck and Jessie Alcorn tallied 18 kills apiece for the Sunbirds (2-0) while Hannah Butler finished with a career-high 36 digs. Bissie DenHartog posted 38 assists and Morghan Williams added 13 kills and five blocks.

"It's always good to be tested in a five-set match like this early in the season, so that later on in the year we can that we've been there and we know what to expect" said FPU head coach Kelly Winter. "This is a young team with a lot of new players and a lot of room to grow. They responded well today and I'm confident in this group that we're going to see huge improvement as the year goes on."

The Sunbirds out-hit the Lumberjacks in every set, posting an attack percentage of .299 for the match compared to HSU's .151, but HSU kept themselves in the match behind a strong group of hitters and defensive players led by 16 kills and 21 digs from Kaitlyn Dunaway.

FPU pulled away in set four however, setting the stage for a decisive fifth set. The Sunbirds built up a 9-5 lead but HSU refused to go away, battling back to get within 13-12. Morghan Williams then came up with a huge block, assisted by Lyndsie Petersen, to make it 14-12. DenHartog delivered the winner on the next play, catching the defense off guard for a quick attack.

Petersen provided a spark off the bench with seven kills on .462 hitting, 10 digs and three blocks. Inck added 16 digs in the win.