TACOMA, Wash. - After playing 17 of its opening 19 games on the road, the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball squad is happy to return to home on Friday, hosting Northwest Conference rival Willamette University.
Last weekend, the Lutes (11-8, 4-3 NWC) headed down to Oregon to face Lewis & Clark College and Pacific University, coming away with a split.
Starting off strong in their first match against the Pioneers, senior
Danielle Skibiel hit a career-best with 26 kills and the Lutes pulled away with a 3-2 win. The following game against Pacific was a battle with Lutes winning the second set but the Boxers snatching the ultimate prize, winning 3-1.
On Wednesday, the Lutes made the quick trip to face crosstown rival University of Puget Sound. The rival Loggers took a 2-0 lead in the match, only to have the Lutes tie the match to force a fifth set. The Loggers pulled away late in the fifth, securing the 3-2 win.
Friday's clash will close out opening half of conference action. Heading into Friday, the Lutes have several players among the stat leaders in the NWC. Skibiel leads the NWC in kills (246), ranks third in kills per set (3.28) and fifth in hitting percentage (.240).
Emily Dulaney sits second in assists per set (8.99) while
Halle Hetzler is first in digs (354) and third in digs per set (4.72). Skibiel (1.00) and
Savanna Service (0.99) sit second and third, respectively in blocks per set.
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Oct. 11: PLU vs. Willamette at Olson Gymnasium (7 p.m.)
Series History: The Lutes and Bearcats have battled 84 times since the 1980 season with PLU holding a 52-32 advantage in the all-time series. The Lutes have won seven straight in the series including winning both matches in three sets last season.
About the Bearcats: Willamette (4-11, 3-3 NWC) heads to Tacoma having won two of its last three matches. The Bearcats downed George Fox University 3-1 to close out September before earning a split at home last weekend. Willamette was swept 3-0 by NWC leader Whitworth University before besting Whitman College 3-1.
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