TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team opened up the Northwest Conference slate on the right foot on Friday night inside Olson Gymnasium, smashing visiting Pacific University 3-0 (25-22, 25-8, 25-14).

The Lutes (2-7, 1-0 NWC) had one of their best hitting days of the season in the home opener, finishing the night hitting .305 as a team with 40 total kills. 

"It was a great team win tonight and an awesome start to conference play," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki.

"The tough opponents we played during the preseason will pay off and we're looking forward to another challenge tomorrow against Linfield."

The opening set was tied 8-8 before the Lutes surged ahead courtesy of kills from Hailey Iha, Elle Thomas and Claire Hindman— part of a 10-2 run to establish a comfortable 18-10 advantage. The Boxers (4-6, 0-2 NWC) used a 6-1 run to pull within two points before a Hindman kill cemented a 25-22 Lute win.

Pacific Lutheran led wire-to-wire in the second set, getting three aces from Halle Hetzler to surge to an early 11-2 lead. PLU kept its foot on the gas, cruising to a 25-8 set win.

The Lutes scored five of the first six points in the third set, finishing off the Boxers with a 25-14 set win.

Elle Thomas led the Lutes with 10 kills while Iha had nine kills on 14 attempts for a .643 hitting percentage. Baylee Johnson and Hindman both added eight kills. Olivia Evaro had 29 of PLU's 35 assists while Hetzler and Torie Takeuchi anchored the back row with 23 and 16 kills, respectively.

PLU is back in action tomorrow night, hosting Linfield University at 7 p.m.