TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team closed out the match on a 10-2 run, rallying to the 3-2 (25-20, 22-25, 21-25, 25-12, 15-11) victory over Northwest Conference nemesis Whitman College inside the Sherwood Center.
The host Blues (1-6) took an early 3-1 lead in the opening set but the Lutes (5-4) battled back, scoring four consecutive points to seize a 5-3 advantage. Pacific Lutheran would play with the lead the rest of the set, scoring the final three points, including a set sealing kill from
Lauren Wilson for the 25-20 win.
In set two, the score was tied at 21 before the Blues scored four of the final five points to level the match with a 25-22 win. Whitman took the third set 25-21 before the Lutes answered in the fourth, blowing out Whitman 25-12 after scoring seven of the final eight points to force a decisive fifth set for the second consecutive match.
In the fifth, Whitman surged to an early 5-1 lead and scored eight of the first 11 points. Pacific Lutheran narrowed the gap before ripping off five straight points, getting kills from
Baylee Johnson, Wilson,
Breeze Bartle and a
Halle Hetzler ace to take a 10-9 lead. The Lutes wouldn't trail the rest of the way, collecting five of the final six points for the 15-11 win to secure the match.
"I thought we really took the momentum away from them in the fourth set but then what a comeback in the fifth set. We were down 8-3 and to outscore them 12-3 shows the toughness of this team," said Head Coach
Kevin Aoki.
"Special recognition to our setters Hope and Emily who both did great stepping in for starting setter
Emily Dulaney. I also thought our blocking was outstanding tonight."
McKenzie Pfeiffer racked up 13 kills to pace the Lutes while Wilson added 11. Johnson and Bartle both racked up nine with Bartle additionally collecting six blocks.
Hope Baldyga accumulated 23 assists and 10 digs with
Emily Zink chipping in 21 assists. Hetzler tallied a team-high 36 digs along with three aces.
The Lutes and Blues are back at it tomorrow evening, facing off at 5 p.m.
