TACOMA, Wash. — 21 Lutes saw time on the court on Saturday as the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team breezed past Linfield University 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-19) inside Olson Gymnasium to remain atop the Northwest Conference standings.
The Lutes (3-7, 2-0 NWC) set the tone from opening serve, getting kills from
Claire Hindman and
Elle Thomas to open the contest and charge out to an early 8-2 lead. Pacific Lutheran scored seven straight, including two aces from
Olivia Evaro to turn a 13-8 edge into a 20-8 cushion en route to a 25-14 opening set victory.Â
It was more of the same in the second set with the Lutes opening up an early 15-4 lead and cruising to a 25-12 set win. The Wildcats were feisty in the third, enjoying a 6-5 lead before a
Baylee Johnson kill tied the set.
Bailey Johnson was the Lutes' next server and ripped off 10 in a row, including a pair of aces to build the Lute buffer to 11 at 17-6. The Wildcats closed the gap but two unforced errors by Linfield (4-5, 0-2 NWC) ended any chance of extending the night as PLU walked off with a 25-19 set win for the sweep.
"It was a great night as we got all 21 players in the match," said Head Coach
Kevin Aoki.
"I liked how we came out tonight and dominated right from the start. We have UPS coming to Olson in what should be a great match on Wednesday! Let's pack Olson!"
Thomas led the Lutes with 10 kills on 22 attacks while
Baylee Johnson added seven kills. Evaro had a match-high 32 assists along with 10 digs and three blocks while
Halle Hetzler had a team-high 22 digs.
The Lutes are back on the court on Wednesday, closing out their season opening homestand against crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
