FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Saint Martin's concludes their opening week of GNAC play with a 3-1 loss to the Nanooks.
 
The Saints (9-2, 0-2) jumped out to the lead taking the first set 25-20 before dropping the next three sets, 25-15, 25-22, and 26-24. Despite the loss, SMU showed promising potential as the final two sets came down to the wire.
 
Saints opened the match with a 3-0 run, Alaska fought back and tied the score throughout the set but SMU never trailed and took the first set 25-20.
 
The Nanooks responded and took the second set 25-15.
 
In the third set Alaska held a 15-20 l lead late in the set  before Saint Martin's came back to tie the game 20-20. The Nanooks held on and took the third set 25-22.
 
In the fourth set the Saint jumped out to an early 5-1 lead and held the lead through most of the set. UAF went on a late 7-0 run to take their first lead of the set, 24-22. SMU tied the set 24-24 but Alaska held on to win the set and the match.
 
Tia Allen led the team in kills (16) and digs (14) while Maddy Gooding led the team in aces (1) and blocks (4). Karla Soto had 38 assists in the contest and was responsible for the only other ace the Saints had.
 
The Saints will continue GNAC play at home on Thursday, September 15 against Northwest Nazarene at 7 p.m. Live stats and video will be available on smusaints.com.