TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team returned to the win column on Saturday evening, dispatching Northwest Conference rival Linfield College 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 29-27) inside Olson Gymnasium.
The Lutes (14-10, 7-5 NWC) scored the opening five points in the first set and never looked back, with a
Megan Finley block providing the deciding point in a 25-12 seg win. Pacific Lutheran raced out to a 7-1 lead in the second and never tailed, seizing the 25-17 victory. The visiting Wildcats (5-18, 1-11 NWC) proved stubborn in the third set, building a 20-17 advantage. Pacific Lutheran tied the set at 22 off a
Savanna Service kill and the rest of the set would be a back and forth affair before a Linfield attack error and a
Baylee Johnson kill gave the Lutes the 29-27 win to secure the match in three sets.
"It was a great bounce back match tonight," said Head Coach
Kevin Aoki. "I thought we served really tough which dictated a large part of the match."
PLU's offense was a well oiled machine on Saturday, hitting .308 on the night, including a blazing .435 in the opening set that saw 11 kills and just one error.
McKenzie Pfeiffer and
Savanna Service proved to be the main culprits, netting 14 kills and 10 kills, respectively. Service's 10 kills came on just 16 total attacks, boasting a .563 attack percentage while also earning five blocks.
Emily Dulaney had a double-double with 37 assists and 12 digs while
Halle Hetzler had 22 digs.
"I think tonight we really went all out and played free without pressure," said Service. "We were out there communicating everything. All the setters were pumping us up and we were all pumping each other up and there was so much energy it was contagious."
The Lutes are back at home on Friday, hosting Lewis & Clark College at 7 p.m. inside Olson Gymnasium in a match fans are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costumes.
