TACOMA, Wash. — In a showdown of Northwest Conference heavyweights it was visiting Whitworth University that ultimately prevailed, downing the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team 3-1 (25-20, 26-28, 25-20, 25-21) in front of a raucous crowd at Olson Gymnasium.
The NWC opener for both teams had the feeling of a championship match, with the Lutes (5-4, 0-1 NWC) and Pirates (6-1, 1-0 NWC) having combined to win every league crown since the 2007 season.
Whitworth came out of the gate swinging, scoring nine of the opening 12 points in the opening set. The Pirates played with the lead the rest of the set, staving off a late Lute run to claim the 25-20 set win.
PLU ripped off the first five points of the second set and opened up a 17-9 advantage before the Pirates clawed back into set, tying it at 19 all. It was a nip and tuck affair the rest of the way with Whitworth owning a 26-25 before the Lutes scored three straight, including a kill from
Kailee Efros-Bohn to net the 28-26 win in the second.
The Pirates took the third set 25-20. In the fourth, PLU led 17-11 but Whitworth buckled down, scoring nine of the next 10 to take a 20-18 lead. PLU was unable to counter with the Pirates prevailing 25-21 to take the match.
"We battled tonight under adversity and we're so proud of our team and now we performed against the defending league champions," said Head Coach
Kevin Aoki.
Elle Thomas finished with 14 kills in her NWC debut while
Claire Hindman added 12.
Baylee Johnson had 11 kills while
Olivia Evaro had a match-high 39 assists.
Halle Hetzler racked up 31 digs with Thomas and
Torie Takeuchi both netting 12.
The Lutes are back in action tomorrow evening, hosting Whitman College at 6 p.m.
