Puget Sound Premiere Website

TACOMA, Wash. - The two-time defending Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team has high expectations heading into the 2019 season as the Lutes look to retain their grip atop the conference and return to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the third consecutive season. 
 
"The NWC coaches have picked us to win it again but we lost five seniors and four played a lot, so that's a lot to replace, both the leadership and experience," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki who heads into 24th season at the helm with an impressive 415-181 record at his alma mater. 
 
"I think with what we have returning and the newcomers, we should be positioned to be competitive within the conference and I'm excited about that."
 
Aoki's tenure has seen the Lutes hoist 11 NWC titles and make 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, including last season where PLU posted a 21-4 overall record and a 14-2 mark in NWC play. The Lutes had the season come to a close in Minnesota, stumbling 3-1 to College of Saint Benedict in the opening round of the NCAAs. 
 
A strength of the team last season was its blocking and 2019 looks to be no different. Leading that charge will be Danielle Skibiel who was second on the team in blocks with 95 and third on the team in kills (168). 
 
"Danielle is probably one of the better middle blockers that we've had here athletically. Very quick and can jump, just a solid player that is going to come in an make an impact along with Savanna Service and Megan Finley."
 
Aoki expects big things from McKenzie Pfeiffer on the right side, who finished the 2018 campaign with 86 kills. 
 
"She's got a lot stronger and quicker, spending time in the weight room this offseason."
 
Senior Angelica Hulett provides experience up front while Jazz Alston provides quickness, speed, and athleticism. Joining the returners up front will be Baylee Johnson from Glenwood Springs, Colorado and Mukilteo, Washington native Hannah Knutt. 
 
Another first year ready to make an impact is Lihue, Hawaii native Hailey Iha. 
 
"She's strong and can provide some stability in the front row."
 
Quarterbacking the offense will be a trio of setters in Hope Baldyga, Emily Dulaney, and Ava Nelson. Nelson and Dulaney saw significant action last season, racking up 235 assists and 162 assists, respectively. 
 
"Emily and Ava have a lot of experience and should really stabilize the position this year."

Defensively, Emma Peters returns after collecting 125 digs last season and is joined by sophomore Kristin Moniz and Madeline Dawson, who joins the Lutes from Kailua, Hawaii. 
 
"We have some really good defensive specialists that will help us this year. Halle Hetzler will be our libero and she brings a lot of experience even though she's a first year. People watching our matches will be really impressed with her defensive ability." 
 
Also returning will be Lauren Wilson who earned All-American honors for the second consecutive season in the high jump during the spring. 
 
"I think she's going to have a breakout year for us. She's played mainly front row but will play all around and you will see that athleticism and strength this year. We're excited to see her take the next step within our program."
 
This weekend the Lutes face four opponents in two days in the first of three non-conference tournaments before gearing up for league play. 
 
"Because we're a national caliber program we have to search out the best competition. This year is unique in that we have three weeks of non-conference play. So instead of scrimmages I opted to play another tournament which I think will be more beneficial. I think we have 12 very competitive competition dates to get us ready for the conference schedule. "
 
The Lutes open against Widener University tomorrow at 10 a.m. before taking on Wheaton College at 4 p.m. On Saturday, the Lutes clash with Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology at 11 a.m. and close out against host University of Puget Sound at 5 p.m.
 
Aug. 30: PLU vs. Widener at Puget Sound Premiere (10 a.m.)
 
Series History: This is the first all-time meeting between the Pride and Lutes. 
 
About the Pride: Widener returns two seniors and four juniors from a team that went 16-17 last season, including 5-3 in Middle Atlantic Conference- Commonwealth play. The Pride had a strong finish to the regular season, winning three of their last four before falling 3-0 to Messiah College in the opening round of the MAC Commonwealth Tournament. 
 
Aug. 30: PLU vs. Wheaton at Puget Sound Premiere (4 p.m.)
 
Series History: This is just the second all-time meeting between the Lutes and Thunder. The two squads last met in 2012 with PLU prevailing 3-0 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 
 
About the Thunder: Wheaton had a strong finish to the 2018 season, winning its final four matches but it wasn't enough to make the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament. The Thunder return three seniors and two juniors from a team that finished 15-16 overall and 2-6 in CCIW action. 
 
Aug. 31: PLU vs. Rose-Hulman at Puget Sound Premiere (11 a.m.)
 
Series History: PLU and Rose-Hulman have never met on the volleyball court. 
 
About the Fightin' Engineers: Rose-Hulman returns Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Defensive MVP Katryna Dahlberg along with two All-HCAC performers from an Engineer team that won the HCAC Tournament and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Rose-Hulman was ousted from the NCAAs 3-0 by Berry College, finishing the season 19-13 overall and 7-2 in league play. 
 
Aug. 31: PLU vs. Puget Sound at Puget Sound Premiere (5 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Loggers have battled 90 times since the 1980 season with Puget Sound enjoying a 57-33 advantage in the series. PLU has gotten the best of the crosstown Loggers as of late, winning the last six matches, including winning all three matches by 3-0 scorelines last season.
 
About the Loggers: Puget Sound was picked to finish fourth in the NWC Coaches Poll and feature a young squad with no seniors and just three juniors. The Loggers closed the 2018 season with a 12-12 record and a 9-7 mark in NWC action.