The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team has made history by qualifying for the NCAA DII Volleyball Tournament for the first time. Finishing the regular season with an impressive record of 23-5 and a 14-4 mark in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC), the Nanooks will enter the 2025 NCAA West Region Championships as the No. 5 seed. This remarkable achievement includes sharing the GNAC Championship title, marking the first conference title in the program’s history.
Their successful season has secured the Nanooks a spot in a competitive West Region field, which features several formidable teams. The lineup includes the Point Loma Sea Lions (PacWest), host Simon Fraser Red Leafs (GNAC), Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (PacWest), Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (GNAC), Western Washington Vikings (GNAC), Central Washington Wildcats (GNAC), and Cal State San Bernardino Yotes (CCAA).
First Round Matchup Against In-State Rival
The Nanooks are set to face their in-state rival, the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves, in the opening round of the tournament. This highly anticipated match is scheduled for December 4, 2025, at 7 p.m. PST, taking place in San Diego. As the No. 4 seed, the Seawolves will present a challenging opponent for the Nanooks, who aim to build on their historic season.
The winner of this first-round matchup will advance to the round of 32, taking on the victor of the game between the No. 1 seed Point Loma and the No. 8 seed Cal State San Bernardino on December 5. The Nanooks’ journey into the postseason is not just a milestone for the team, but a significant moment for the university and its supporters, reflecting the growth and potential of the volleyball program at Alaska.
As they prepare for this crucial game, the Nanooks are focused on leveraging their successful regular season and championship experience to make a deep run in the tournament.