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Trinity Box Score

RICHARDSON, Texas - The 23rd-ranked Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team battled in a pair of five set matches on Friday, falling short 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 20-25, 25-14, 15-12) to Southwestern University to open up the UT-Dallas Tournament before rebounding with a 3-2 (16-25, 25-22, 25-20, 20-25, 15-12) victory over seventh-ranked Trinity University to cap off day one. 

"Today we played with the passion and intensity needed to push our way through the adversity we faced within the two matches we played today," said Danielle Skibiel who finished the day with 36 kills between the two matches. "We came back from a hard fought battle this morning and I couldn't be more proud of the amount of focus and energy every single member of our team put into every moment of each play today. We're ready to bring the heat to Texas, Go Lutes!"

Against Southwestern, the two sides battled through five lead changes and 15 ties in the opening set before the Pirates eventually prevailed 25-23. The Lutes (5-1) took the next two sets by 25-20 scorelines but was unable to put away SU with the Pirates taking the final two sets to secure the win. 

Danielle Skibiel paced the Lutes with 16 kills with Lauren Wilson and Baylee Johnson adding 13 and 10, respectively. Emily Dulaney led the team with 45 assists in addition to collecting 15 digs while Halle Hetzler amassed a game-high 20 digs. 

In the nightcap, the seventh-ranked Tigers surged to a 25-16 win in the opening set before the Lutes counter punched, winning set two 25-22 and set three 25-20. Trinity pushed things to a decisive fifth set with a 25-20 win in the fourth. In the fifth set, the Lutes pulled away late, scoring the final three points to pull off the upset.

Skibiel was dialed in, racking up a match-high 20 kills and six blocks while McKenzie Pfeiffer added 17 kills. Dulaney netted 42 assists, 12 digs, and five blocks, while Hetzler led the Lutes with 19 digs. 

"It was a significant win after dropping a five-setter to Southwestern," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. "Trinity was as good as advertised as the No. 7 team in the country. We look forward to two touch matches tomorrow." 

The Lutes close out the tournament tomorrow morning, facing host University of Texas-Dallas at 10 a.m. (Central) before wrapping the event against Hardin-Simmons University at 12:30 p.m. (Central).