SEGUIN, Texas - The Pacific Lutheran volleyball team and coaching staff were hoping for big things from Samantha North this season, and the frosh setter from Gig Harbor is indeed off to a fine start in 2011.

North earned Most Valuable Player honors at the Bulldog Classic played Friday and Saturday at Texas Lutheran University. Along with senior middle blocker Erin Bremond, also an all-tournament selection, North helped the Lutes sweep four consecutive opponents in three sets.

After doing quick work against Concordia (Tex.) and Gallaudet on Friday, PLU took the measure of LeTourneau, 25-7, 25-23, 25-18, and Texas Lutheran, 25-16, 25-8, 25-13, on Saturday. All of the normal starters played just one set against LeTourneau. Kelsey Pacolt led PLU with seven kills and a .333 attack percentage, while Anna Buck had 16 assists and Aubrey Larion eight digs. Against Texas Lutheran, Bremond and Kelsie Moore both had eight kills and the Lutes hit an impressive .337. North finished with 28 assists and 12 digs, while Huston had eight block assists.

North averaged 9.5 assists, 1.1 service aces and kills, and 3.4 digs per set while playing 10 sets in the four tournament matches. Bremond also played in 10 sets, averaging 2.9 kills while hitting .436.

That PLU duo has earned all-tournament honors in successive invitationals.

Other PLU standouts included sophomore middle blocker Bethany Huston, who in 10 sets averaged 2.3 kills and 1.9 blocks. She hit .362 for the tournament. Defensively, Blair Bjorkman averaged 5.0 digs for the Lutes, now 7-1 for the season. 

PLU opens its Northwest Conference season, and its home schedule, this coming Friday and Saturday with matches against Willamette and Lewis & Clark, respectively. Both matches are slated to start at 7 p.m.

- PLU -