TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball squad needed just six sets to come away with a pair of wins on Friday at the Puget Sound Premiere, downing Widener University and Wheaton College by 3-0 scorelines to open the 2019 season.
"I thought we had a very solid day," said Head Coach
Kevin Aoki. "It was great to see the returners and newcomers mesh so well. We'll continue to get better and we're looking forward to seeing what this team can do."
Against Widener (0-1), the Lutes (2-0) held a slim 18-16 advantage coming out of a timeout in the opening set before ripping off six of the next points en route to the 25-19 set victory. Pacific Lutheran staked a 17-7 lead in the second set on their way to a 25-13 set win before claiming nine of the first 10 to wrap up the third set 25-12.
Baylee Johnson and
Lauren Wilson led the attack with 10 kills apiece while Wilson also added three service aces.
Emily Dulaney tallied 30 assists while
Emma Peters had eight digs.
In the nightcap, PLU claimed eight of the first 10 points against the Thunder (1-1) in a 25-10 set win. The Lutes never trailed in the second, coming away with the 25-18 win before scoring four of the last five to come away with the 25-20 decision in set three to secure the match win and sweep the day.
Danielle Skibiel headlined game two with 10 kills and three blocks while
Madeline Dawson served up three aces. Dulaney claimed 23 assists while Wilson and
Halle Hetzler had 11 and 10 digs, respectively.
"Halle had an outstanding debut as our libero today."
The Lutes are back on the court tomorrow for day two of the Puget Sound Premiere, facing Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology at 11 a.m. before clashing with crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound at 5 p.m.
