TACOMA, Wash. - It was a mixed bag for the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team on Friday at the opening day of the Puget Sound Premiere inside Memorial Fieldhouse, splitting a pair of matches against two Texas institutions. The Lutes battled Southwestern University in a pair of tight sets before ultimately succumbing 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-12) in the opener before blasting University of Saint Thomas 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-13) to close the day.
 
In the opener against the Pirates (2-0), the Lutes (1-2) ripped off four consecutive points, including three off the serve of Torie Takeuchi to take a 15-14 lead, PLU's first of the match. Southwestern and Pacific Lutheran would trade leads until the Lutes netted three straight to take a 21-19 lead. PLU utilized a Hailey Iha kill and a SU attack error to post a 23-22 advantage but Southwestern closed out the set on a 3-0 run for the 25-23 set win.
 
PLU fell behind 6-1 early in the second set before slowing clawing back and eventually tying the set at 22 off a Kailee Efros-Bohn kill. The Lutes had the Pirates on the ropes later in the set, serving match point at 24-23 but Southwestern would tally three consecutive points to escape with the win. SU would close set three on a 9-2 run, securing the 25-12 win for the three-set sweep.
 
Mckenzie Pfeiffer led the Lutes with eight kills. Emily Dulaney posted 17 assists with Halle Hetzler scooping up 13 digs.
 
In the nightcap, PLU was firing on all cylinders, leading wire-to-wire in a 25-15 set win to opening the match against the Celts (0-1). Set two was deadlocked at six before the Lutes ripped off eight straight points, including two aces off the serve of Callie Simmonds. PLU would remain in the driver's seat the rest of the set, coasting to the 25-14 win.
 
Set three was more of the same, collecting the opening nine points en route to a 25-13 win to wrap up the match in straight sets.

"It was great to come back in the afternoon and play Luteball. We were out of rhythm in the morning match," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. "We're excited to get two more opportunities tomorrow."
 
All 19 Lutes suited for the match saw action with Baylee Johnson and Mackenzie Pfeiffer powering the offense with 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Emily Dulaney had 27 assists and 12 digs while Halle Hetzler racked up 20 digs. 
 
PLU is back on the court tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. against Whitman College before closing the Puget Sound Premiere at 4:30 p.m. against host University of Puget Sound.