TACOMA, Wash. — The Northwest Conference leading Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team just keeps on winning. The Lutes dispatched visiting Willamette University 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-18) on Saturday night inside Olson Gymnasium, extending their win streak to 12 straight games.
The victory keeps PLU (13-7, 12-0 NWC) undefeated in league play, winning seven of its 12 league matches this season in straight sets.
"This was a great team win after an emotional win on Wednesday at UPS. We knew Willamette would be a tough opponent because they are playing for an NWC Tournament playoff spot," said Head Coach
Kevin Aoki.
Willamette (11-8, 6-6 NWC) led 16-15 in the opening set before the Lutes scored six of the next seven, getting a pair of kills from
Elle Thomas during that run to build a 21-17 advantage. Consecutive kills from
Hailey Iha,
Claire Hindman, and Thomas put the Lutes up 24-18 but the Bearcats refused to back down. Willamette rattled off five straight points before a Hindman kill closed out the set 25-23 in favor of PLU.
The Bearcats led 9-7 in the second set before the Lutes ripped off six consecutive points to take a 13-9 lead. Pacific Lutheran never looked back with a Hindman kill giving the Lutes the 25-16 set win.
Willamette tallied the opening two points of the third set before the Lutes scored six of the next seven. PLU would play with the lead the rest of the set with an Iha kill giving the Lutes the 25-18 victory to secure the match.
Hindman posted a match-high 11 kills while Thomas added 10.
Olivia Evaro had a double-double with 33 assists and 13 digs with
Halle Hetzler netting 17 digs.
The Lutes are back on the court on Friday night, resuming their homestand with a 7 p.m. showdown with Whitman College.
"We look forward to hosting the Whits next weekend with senior night on Saturday. We're hoping for a packed house."
