On Tuesday, the Clan won their GNAC opener against the University of Alaska Fairbanks by way of a sweep. The next night, though, the tables turned, as SFU was swept by another Alaskan team, the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.
Although a sweep usually indicates a sizable loss, for the first two sets the Clan were neck and neck with the Seawolves, able to keep up but often unable to keep a lead.
SFU setter Brooklynn Gould-Bradbury, who led the team with 18 assists and provided eight digs, opened up the game with the first serve, although the Seawolves would score the first point. The Clan, though, would jump out to a sizable lead, reaching a peak of seven points at 10-3.
The Seawolves, however, got right back into the game, eventually tying things up at 16-16, helped in part by SFU giving up five straight points. UAA would then seize the lead, which they would not surrender for the rest of the set, winning it 29-27.
The second set would tell a similar story. This time, though, it was the Seawolves who got off to the early lead, taking the score to 9-5. In a role reversal, the Clan rallied back with a six point streak to take the lead at 11-9, which they would hold for most of the set.
When the Clan were leading 21-19, UAA started their push back, scoring three points to once again take the lead. SFU could only muster one more point before losing the set 25-22.
Although the first two sets were rather close battles, the third marked a serious collapse for the Clan.
The Seawolves rushed out of the gate after the intermission to a score of 13-2, aided by a remarkable eight straight points. Unlike the prior two sets, SFU was unable to fight back before losing handily 25-10.
Libero Alison McKay, who had 13 digs, was happy with her team’s performance in sets one and two: “I’m really proud of the way we played in the first two sets; I thought we fought really hard, we covered the ball, [we had] good hustle, we really kept up with them.”
She stated that the third set collapse provided a learning opportunity, acknowledging that frustration after the first two sets may have played a part in the Clan’s meltdown. “It’s always a bit frustrating, but now we have something to work on and push through.
“I think we can learn from it, to play consistent the whole way through,” she added.
