DALLAS, Texas – Ranked No. 23 in the country coming into the weekend and fresh off a victory over No. 7 Trinity University (Texas), the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team knocked off Hardin-Simmons University 3-1 after dropping its opening match against the University of Texas at Dallas 3-0.
 
"I thought this weekend was very competitive and good for our team's mental toughness moving forward," said PLU junior outside hitter Lauren Wilson.  "Today, we faced multiple deficits against Hardin-Simmons, but we stayed together the whole time and came back to win.  I'm super excited for what's to come for our team."
 
It appeared that the Lutes would steal the first set from the Comets as they rattled off three straight points to take a 24-21 lead against the home team.  However, UT Dallas rallied with three straight points of their own to tie the match and scored six of the final seven points to earn the opening-set victory.  
 
Late in the second set, PLU continued to battle.  The Lutes closed a 22-18 deficit to 22-21 and eventually tied the score at 23-23 before the Comets got back-to-back kills by Allison Owen to take a 2-0 lead.  UT Dallas continued to keep the pressure on the visitors and finished off the match with a 25-13 win in the final set. 
 
Wilson led the way with 12 kills, while Danielle Skibiel produced three block assists.  Sophomore setter Emily Dulaney passed out 31 assists, while Halle Hetzler, Emma Peters and Dulaney all had double digit digs defensively.  
 
Against the Cowgirls, the Lutes dominated the first two sets 25-17 and 25-13 to take a commanding 2-0 advantage in the match.  After narrowly dropping the third frame 25-23, PLU rallied to finish off Hardin-Simmons 25-21.  Wilson had a double-double in the second match with 10 kills and 10 digs, while Skibiel chipped in 10 kills of her own to go with nine block assists.  Emma Peters also did some damage with six service aces. 
 
Defensively, the Lutes held the Cowgirls to just a .064 hitting percentage and forced them into 30 attack errors, while blocking 13 balls.  
 
PLU remains on the road next weekend as it travels to California for the University of La Verne Tournament where they will take on Whittier College, La Verne, Chapman University and Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.