TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team looks to take the next step this fall, with its sights set on the program's 11th Northwest Conference title and first crown since the 2018 campaign. 
 
"With this group of student-athletes, we have a mix of some new Lutes and some veterans. Our goal is to blend those together so that we can compete for the Northwest Conference championship again. It's going to be wide open title race this year so the main thing is to improve in our play every day. Hopefully at the end of the day the results speak for itself," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki who embarks on his 27th year at the helm of his alma mater.
 
Leading the charge will be reigning NWC Libero of the Year Halle Hetzler. 
 
"We're highlighted by Libero of the Year Halle Hetzler. She returns and she will be the backbone of our defense. I've had outstanding liberos in the past and she's definitely one of those players that when you see us play, you will see her flying across the court."
 
Last fall, Hetzler led the NWC and finished the regular season seventh nationally in digs per set, racking up 533 digs during the 25-match slate (6.1 per set average). 
 
A big hole the Lutes will need to plug is setter where the squad lost Emily Dulaney, the program's primary distributor the past three seasons. 
 
"Losing Emily, our starting setter for a few years is a big hole to fill. It will be left up to Liv and right now she's doing a wonderful job at heading up that position. Setter is like a quarterback in football. They have a lot of responsibilities setting up hitters and being the calming force on the court."
 
In addition to Liv Evaro, the Lutes will also utilize the services of senior setter Jessica Herklotz and fellow first-year setter Jordan Freer.
 
"I think Liv is going to be huge for us. She has the wherewithal to be that person. A good setter but also has a good head on her shoulders."
 
Outside hitter Baylee Johnson returns for her senior campaign after racking up 227 kills and 23 blocks last season and is joined by returners Sianna Iverson, Noe Feliciano, Kailee Efros-Bohn, and Callie Simmonds. 
 
Simmonds was third on the team in kills last season, netting 153 along with 19 blocks while leading the team with 33 aces. Claire Hindman provides depth to the hitters, transferring to PLU from Division II Hawaii Pacific University. 
 
Also returning as front line players are Noelani McGivern and Tori Schmidtke. The newcomer of the group is Elle Thomas who the Lutes expect to make a considerable impact right off the bat. 
 
"Elle brings an all-around skill for us. A six rotation player that should be able to carry a lot of the load offensively and defensively for us."
 
Hailey Iha headlines the returning middles, having led the team last fall in blocks with 74, including 15 solo stuffs. Iha additionally added 140 kills. Also returning is Breeze Bartle and will be joined my first-years Iris Ashworth and Haley Goto. 
 
Rounding out the squad is veteran defensive specialists Sydney Aoki, Torie Takeuchi, Makenna Jackson, and Madeline Dawson. 
 
Takeuchi finished last fall with 154 digs and 23 aces while Dawson had almost identical defensive production with 153 digs.
 
This weekend is the first of two non-conference tournaments the Lutes will partake in, playing four matches over a two day stretch both weekends before starting the double round robin conference slate. 
 
"It's exciting for this group to move forward and really work hard. We play four matches in a weekend in the first two weeks. The goal is to get better and try and find out what improvements we need, what we do well, and what players gel together."
 
The Lutes go across town for the Puget Sound Premiere this weekend before heading to Minnesota next weekend with a chance to spar with reigning national champion University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
 
"When we go to Augsburg, it will be a challenge playing defending NCAA Champion UW-Eau Claire. That's always a high point because you're not going to get better playing poor teams. We need to play top notch teams in order to improve. It will give us a good measuring stick to see where we are at going into NWC play."
 
PLU opens the year on Friday at 12:30 p.m. against Salve Regina University before facing Benedictine University at 5:30 p.m.