TACOMA, Wash. - After playing 19 of its first 22 matches on the road, the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball finally gets to bask in the comforts of home, opening a five-match homestand this weekend inside Olson Gymnasium. The Lutes welcome George Fox University to Olson on Friday night for Dig Pink before facing Linfield College on Saturday.
 
Last weekend, the Lutes (13-9, 6-4 Northwest Conference) traveled across the state to play Whitman College and Whitworth University. Despite a tough 3-0 setback to Whitworth on Friday, the Lutes rebounded on Saturday, winning 3-1 against Whitman.
 
Sophomore Hope Baldyga has been enjoying the season, treasuring the long rides to bond with her teammates. Despite losing a significant group of seniors last year, Baldyga has seen her teammates step up and become leaders on the team. 
 
"This is truly a special group of women and coaches," Baldyga said. "I look forward to competing every day in practice."
 
Baldyga is a Kinesiology major with a concentration in pre-physical therapy. Through volleyball, she has learned how to manage her studies with athletics and also discovered her passion for physical therapy.
 
"I have also found my love for physical therapy through volleyball because I have watched many of my teammates recover from injuries," Baldyga said. "It made me realize that I want to become a physical therapist and help other athletes return to the court."
 
Since the beginning of the season, Baldyga has felt a familial bond form within the squad. This closeness allows them to push each other on the court and have a large competitive energy both at practice and during the games.
 
This weekend, the Lutes are back on home turf competing against George Fox University and Linfield College. After a week of practice focusing on playing with passion and intensity, Baldyga is excited to hit the court. 
 
"I know we are all excited to be playing back at home since we have been traveling so much in these past few weeks and I think we will play really well in front of our home crowd," Baldyga said. "The energy is crazy in Olsen and I know we have missed it."

LuteLegion: The first 50 PLU students in attendance on Saturday and Sunday will receive a free LuteLegion t-shirt. 
 

??FREE T-SHIRTS FOR @PLUNEWS STUDENTS??

Come to any @PLUVolleyball, @PLU_WSoc or @PLU_MensSoccer game this weekend to pick up yours!#GoLutes #LuteLegion #DigPink pic.twitter.com/zjAmkHyWTj

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) October 23, 2019

Series History: PLU and George Fox have met 69 times since 1980 with the Lutes holding a 44-25 edge in the all-time series. The Lutes have dominated the series as of late, winning 22 consecutive matches in the series., including a 3-1 win on Sept. 27 in Newberg, Oregon. 
 
About the Bruins: George Fox (8-11, 5-5 NWC) dropped five of its first six conference matches but has been red-hot since, ripping off four consecutive wins. 
 
The Bruins' run began with a 3-1 road win over NWC leading Whitworth on Oct. 11. GFU took down Whitman 3-1 the following night and kept the party rolling last weekend with a 3-1 win over Pacific University and a three-set sweep of Linfield.
 
Ashtyn Butler leads the team in kills with 148 on the season with Liv Alexander adding 146. Laney Search sets up the attack, averaging 6.87 assists per set with Sophia Lawrence contributing 5.38 digs per set. 
 
Oct. 26: PLU vs. Linfield at Olson Gymnasium (6 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Wildcats have battled 92 times since 1980 with the scales tipped 52-40 in favor of PLU. Pacific Lutheran has won the last five encounters sweeping the series in both 2017 and 2018.  
 
About the Wildcats: Linfield (5-17, 1-9 NWC) defeated Whitman 3-1 back on Oct. 4 but has come up empty since, dropping its last five matches, including a pair of 3-0 setbacks last week against Willamette University and George Fox.
 
Raelynn Hammock leads the team in kills, averaging 2.25 per set while Aylea Dixon quarterbacks the offense with 6.41 assists per set. Maya Nakasone is the defensive star, averaging 4.16 digs per set.