MINNEAPOLIDS, MInn. — It was a day of mixed results for the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team on Saturday at the Augsburg Invitational. The Lutes opened the day with a 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-22) win over the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse before stumbling 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-21) to host Augsburg University inside Si Melby Hall. 
 
"It was a great tournament even though the outcome was not what we wanted," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. 
 
"We saw a lot of improvement throughout the weekend playing against some nationally-ranked opponents. 
 
The Lutes (5-3) came out of the gate swinging against UW-La Crosse (0-5), scoring the opening 11 points of the match. PLU continued to put the pedal on the gas, scoring six of the final eight points, including a set clinching kill from Elle Thomas for the 25-12 victory in set one. UWL led early in the second but the Lutes proved to be too much, claiming the 25-18 win before cementing the win after taking the third set 25-22.
 
Kailee Efros-Bohn and Claire Hindman were a menace in the front row, finishing with six and four blocks, respectively.
 
Thomas and Haley Goto led the Lutes with seven kills with Olivia Evaro collecting 11 assists. Halle Hetzler had a team-best 11 digs along with six assists.
 
Against the host Auggies (7-1), the hosts utilized a six-point run midway through the opening set to turn a slim 11-8 lead into a 17-8 bulge en route to the 25-15 set win. Augsburg rattled off eight straight points in the second set, prevailing 25-13 before earning the 25-21 win in the third to secure the match. 
 
Baylee Johnson paced PLU with 11 kills with Thomas and Goto adding seven and five, respectively. Efros-Bohn had three aces while Evaro had 19 assists and Hetzler had 14 digs.
 
"We're excited for the NWC season and to play at home versus the Whits next weekend."
 
The Lutes open up Northwest Conference play on Friday, hosting defending league champion Whitworth University inside Olson Gymnasium. First serve is set for 7 p.m.