Contact: Mark Albanese, Director of Sports Communication

TACOMA, Wash. --The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball squad opened the lid on the 2016 season on Friday, sweeping Vassar College 3-0 (25-9, 25-23, 27-25) before stumbling 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 14-25, 25-11) to eighth-ranked Carthage College in the nightcap at the Puget Sound Premiere inside Memorial Gymnasium.

 The Lutes (1-1) made quick work of the Brewers (0-2) in the opening match, breezing to the three-set sweep. PLU led wire-to-wire in the opening set, scoring nine of the first 10 points in a 25-9 win before grinding out a 25-23 win in set two and a 27-25 decision in set three to close out the contest.

Chloe Epker paced PLU with 10 kills while Kiana Calles tallied 15 assists. Taylor Komagome netted 13 digs with Julia Hutchison serving up four aces.

Against Carthage, the nationally-ranked Lady Reds (1-1) claimed the opening two sets by 25-20 and 25-22 counts before PLU earned a dominant 25-14 victory in set three. The Lutes were unable to maintain that momentum in the fourth, falling 25-11.

Epker collected a team-high 14 kills with Sydney Spray adding 12. Calles collected 18 assists with Hutchison pacing PLU with 22 digs.

The Lutes close out the Puget Sound Premiere Tournament on Saturday, facing Southwestern University at 3 p.m. and host University of Puget Sound at 7 p.m.