By Maddie Bernard, PLU Sports Information Student Writer
PARKLAND – With the five seniors on the 2015 squad starting their final home weekend match in a Pacific Lutheran uniform, the Lutes claimed a four-set win with scores of 25-11, 25-18, 23-25, 25-16 over George Fox Saturday night at Names Family Court.
Prior to the match, the team honored seniors Alyssa Workman, Lucy Capron, Michaela Edgers, Kacey Hartman, and Kylai Cooley. The five played the majority of the set, with Cooley switching uniforms mid-match to play both outside hitter and libero.
"It's been such a privilege getting a chance to coach this group of girls," PLU assistant coach Tim Templin said. "They have done an amazing job not only on the court, but setting a good example for the younger players. We will miss them."
"These ladies are five of the best leaders we have had come through the program," fellow assistant Sarah Beaver added.
Capron led the match with 21 kills as part of a dominant showing after returning from injury to play on Senior Night. She also compiled 20 digs, three service aces and three blocks in the win. Hartman totaled eight kills on a .500 attack percentage and Edgers added four kills. Workman had 30 assists, while Cooley had 23 digs and a pair of kills. The Lutes' fifth straight win and eighth in their last nine matches improved their record to 10-4 in conference and 16-7 overall.
PLU dominated the first set, as George Fox scored the first point and the Lutes followed with 11 of the next 14. PLU had three streaks of at least five consecutive points and closed the set on a six-point streak, with back-to-back kills by Hartman setting the Lutes up for Taylor Komagome's set-point service ace.
While PLU held the lead for most of the second set, George Fox put up a fight, staying with the Lutes for the first ten points. However, PLU used a five-point run to go up 9-5 and didn't allow George Fox to tie the score the rest of the set. The Bruins pulled within one at 13-12 before a three-point run put PLU back up four. PLU wrapped up the 25-18 set victory as a pair of Capron kills bookended a four-point streak.
While it looked like the Lutes might pull away early in the third set following a 9-4 advantage, George Fox slowly crept back to tie it up at 18-18. That tie score was part of a seven-point comeback streak that gave the Bruins a 20-18 lead, but the Lutes ended the run with two straight points to tie it up. George Fox scored four of the next five to take a set-point advantage, and the Lutes nearly rallied to tie it after consecutive kills by Roshel Muzzall and Capron. But The Bruins closed it out on a kill by Amy Massingale.
The Lutes came out strong in the fourth set, shutting out the Bruins early with a six-point streak to open the set with three service aces from Kendle Valade-Nunez. However, George Fox fought their way back and tied it at 12-12. PLU responded with a four-point streak that included two more aces by Valade-Nunez, and after two George Fox points PLU pulled away with a six-point streak. Cooley sealed the match victory 25-16 for the Lutes with a service ace, capping her Senior Night with the clinching point.
"I am nothing but thankful to be a part of the PLU volleyball program," Cooley said. "Regardless of how this season ends, being able to form some of the best friendships through the program is what made the experience."
The Lutes play their last two regular season matches next week, hosting cross-town rival Puget Sound in the home finale on Wednesday before taking on Linfield in McMinnville, Ore., Friday night at 7 p.m.
