TACOMA, Wash. - The 10th-ranked Pacific Lutheran University women's volleyball team returns home for the first two Northwest Conference games of the season, hosting Pacific University on Friday and Linfield College on Saturday inside Olson Gymnasium.
 
Last weekend the Lutes (7-1) traveled to Colorado to wrap up non-conference play, picking up wins over Johnson & Wales University (3-0), Briar Cliff University (3-0), and the University of Minnesota-Morris (3-2) before falling 3-0 to second-ranked Colorado College. 
 
"We were able to grind out the win against the University of Minnesota Morris, because the team was able to stay positive and come together as a team, rather than targeting each other and placing blame," senior Caylie Shiramizu said. "We made sure to focus on the next ball rather than the last play and remain supportive of each other"
 
"We learned a lot about ourselves this weekend, because now we are a ranked team and have a target on our backs. We need to improve as a team and get to the level that some higher ranked teams are at, in order to win conference and make it to regionals."
 
Something that really brings teams together is the traveling and bonding that teams do on road trips. "My favorite part about traveling with the team is the lifelong memories that we make, as we have so many happy and funny moments together. We always make the most of our trips with great team meals and excursions out of the hotel, such as shopping. All the bonding and time that we spend together really makes the long travel days worth it."
 
Shiramizu is really excited for her senior year off the court as well as she is looking to get her degree in kinesiology. "I am looking forward to finishing and passing all my classes with good grades and graduating at the end of the year."
 
After graduation, Shiramizu is planning on attending grad school for a degree in athletic training. "After getting injured once and going through the rehab process, I could really see myself pursuing a career in athletic training. Being active my entire life and having the desire to help people really made this choice easy, as it lines up perfectly with my interests."
 
Apart from academics, she is very involved on campus and is the Vice President of the Hawaii Club, working to set up the highly anticipated luau. She also works with many different athletes and athletic trainers in the athletic training room.
 
Although she is really looking forward to graduating and starting to plan for life after PLU, she is very excited about the upcoming NWC season and what it has to offer. The team will take the court in the first conference games of the season against Pacific University on Friday at 7 p.m. and Linfield College on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Olson.
 
"We have a great group of women this year that will make this year rewarding and fun with everyone having a common goal: winning conference and making it to regionals."

Sept. 14: PLU vs. Pacific at Olson Gymnasium (7 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and Boxers have met 80 times on the court with PLU holding a 56-24 edge in the all-time series. It's been all Lutes lately; with PLU winning 43 of the last 46 meetings, a stretch of dominance going all the way back to Head Coach Kevin Aoki's first season in 1996. 

About the Boxers: Pacific (6-3) opened the season by winning four of five matches at home in the Oregon Trail Classic before competing at the same tournament as the Lutes last weekend in Colorado, finishing with a 2-2 record. 

The Boxers picked up 3-1 wins over both UM-Morris and Johnson & Wales while dropping matches to both Colorado College (3-1) and Briar Cliff (3-2).

Karlee Duncan leads the Boxer attack , averaging 3.1 kills per set while Ellie Parker leads the team with 10.2 assists/set. 

Sept. 15: PLU vs. Linfield at Olson Gymnasium (5 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and Wildcats have met 89 times since 1980 with PLU enjoying a slim 49-40 advantage in the all-time series. The Lutes won both encounters last season, prevailing by identical 3-1 scorelines. 

About the Wildcats: Linfield (5-3) opened the season by winning four straight at the Oregon Trail Classic before dropping three of four down in Texas last weekend. The Wildcats dropped contests to East Texas Baptist University (3-0), Austin College (3-1), and McMurry University (3-0) before closing the trip on a positive note with a 3-1 win over Howard Payne University. 

Audrey Hyem powers the Linfield offense, averaging 2.21 kills/set while Anikalea Keliiheleua contributes 2.2 per set. Mattie Kelly is the primary setter, averaging 7.1 per set while Taylor Souza anchors the defensive efforts, averaging 4.6 digs per set.