WALLA WALLA - Pacific Lutheran dominated a pair of opponents with three-set victories in Saturday's opening day of the Whitman Volleyball Invitational in Sherwood Center.

The Lutes, ranked No. 17 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Preseason Top 25 poll, rolled past unranked Menlo and No. 25-ranked Puget Sound to improve their season record to 3-0.

"It was a great day for the Lutes today," PLU head coach Kevin Aoki said. "The team played solid all day."

They started with a 25-21, 25-22, 25-18 win over the Menlo Oaks behind offensive firepower provided by Erin Bremond (14 kills) and Kelsie Moore (10 kills). Sarah Beaver finished with 39 assists and 10 digs, while Blair Bjorkman had 18 digs and Moore 16 more.

Playing the cross-town rivals UPS Loggers on the other side of the state, the Lutes got 13 kills and 18 digs from Beth Hanna and 12 kills and 12 digs from Moore in taking a 25-16, 29-27, 25-21 triumph.

Hanna, a three-time AVCA All-America honoree returning from last year's season-ending knee injury, featured in all three sets for the Lutes. Beaver had 32 assists, moving the ball around and helping PLU to a .237 attack percentage for the match. Bremond was strong at the net with three solo blocks and three block assists, while Allison Wood contributed one solo blocks and four block assists.

With the wins, the Lutes assured themselves of a spot in tomorrow's tournament championship match at 5 p.m. First, however, they must play the host Whitman Missionaries in their final round robin match at noon. Whitman upset Puget Sound in five sets on Saturday.

- PLU -