TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team made quick work of Northwest Conference rival Lewis & Clark College on Saturday evening, cruising to a 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-22) victory inside Olson Gymnasium to finish off the weekend undefeated.
The Lutes led wire-to-wire in the first set, scoring the opening six points, including five off the serve of
Halle Hetzler on their way to a 25-18 set win. The second set was tied at 13 before ripped off five straight points, including a pair of aces frp,
Torie Takeuchi to take control. PLU led the rest of the set with a
Kailee Efros-Bohn kill giving the hosts the 25-20 victory.
Pacific Lutheran raced out to an 8-3 lead in the third set but the Pioneers wouldn't make it easy, utilizing an 8-2 run to take a 16-12 lead. PLU battled back, tying the set at 17 on an
Elle Thomas kill before rattling off four straight points to take the lead for good.
Hailey Iha closed out the match with a kill, giving the Lutes' the 25-22 set win for their second straight three-set victory of the weekend.
Thomas finished with 14 kills, two aces, and three blocks, boasting a .324 hitting percentage.
Baylee Johnson added 11 kills with Iha adding seven.
Breeze Bartle had four blocks while
Olivia Evaro had 32 assists.
Halle Hetzler racked up 24 digs with Takeuchi netting 10.
Hetzler's two dozen digs pushed her career tally to 1,772, setting a new school record after surpassing the previous mark of 1,766 set by Rachelle Snowdon (1992-1995).
"It was great to sweep Lewis & Clark in three straight. Elle and Baylee had really good nights for us," said Head Coach
Kevin Aoki.
"It will be nice to play at home again next weekend."
The Lutes are back on the court next Friday, hosting Pacific University at 7 p.m. inside Olson Gymnasium.
