TACOMA, Wash. - After a successful weekend in Oregon sweeping Willamette University in three sets, the ninth-ranked Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team travels east to take on Whitman College and Whitworth University this weekend.
The Lutes (11-1, 4-0 Northwest Conference) impressive record can be attributed to excellent team chemistry this season.
"We're more than just a team, we're a family," said senior setter/right side
Isabella Zubrod. Zubrod, who transferred from Bellevue College, earned NWC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 2.10 digs per set.
Zubrod spent her first year in college at Bellevue, earning First Team NWAC All-North honors before making the decision to transfer to PLU.
"Puyallup is home so that was a factor, and team chemistry and dynamic was something that was so different from my last experience and played a role in the decision."
Zubrod is enthusiastic about her final season with the Lutes.
"I'm looking forward to just playing, it's my last season so I want to make memories and not leave any regrets on the floor."
There are exciting things happening off the court as well for Zubrod who is pursuing her nursing degree in hopes of becoming a critical care and emergency room nurse.
Although it may be the last year of her collegiate career, Zubrod will never quit volleyball. She will be going on her fourth year of coaching club when the season ends.
"I'm coaching a U12 team this year, it's definitely a lot of fundamentals but it's still very fun."
"Finishing up my senior year I think the key words are just, having fun. I want to make lasting memories and enjoy the time I have with the team before the real world gets here," she says with a laugh.
Despite a tiring schedule full of nursing clinicals, Zubrod still brings energy and chemistry to the court all in the pursuit of the team goal, to repeat as conference champions.
Sept. 28: PLU vs. Whitman in Walla Walla, Washington (7 p.m.)
Series History: The Lutes and Blues have met 79 times with PLU dominating the series with a 60-19 overall edge. The two teams split the series last season with Whitman earning the 3-2 upset win at Olson Gymnasium before the Lutes earned the 3-0 win in Walla Walla.
About the Blues: Whitman (6-6, 2-2 NWC) has split its opening two weekends of league play, earning five-set wins over Lewis & Clark College and George Fox University (3-2) while falling at the hands of Willamette and Pacific University (3-0).
Whitman's Codie Conching leads the team and ranks third in the NWC in both kills (2.98 per set) and aces (0.56 per set). Claire McCarthy sits third in the league with 202 digs while Brooke Randall has been a force up front, ranking third in the league in blocks per set (1.00).
Sept. 29: PLU vs. Whitworth in Spokane, Washington (6 p.m.)
Series History: PLU enjoys a slim 41-36 edge over the Pirates in the all-time series. The Lutes won both matches last season, prevailing 3-0 inside Olson Gymnasium and scratching out a 3-2 win in Spokane.
About the Pirates: Whitworth (10-4, 4-0 NWC) heads into the weekend tied atop the league standings with the Lutes and has won five of the last six matches. The Pirates lone setback during that stretch was a 3-0 decision to NAIA foe Lewis-Clark State University on Sept. 19 in Lewiston, Idaho.
Jessica Schmautz and Erin White are the two main cogs of the Pirates offensive attack. Schmautz leads the NWC in kills (3.84 per set) while White dishes up a league-high 10.3 assists per set.
