TACOMA, Wash. — A showdown of Northwest Conference heavyweights lived up to the hype on Wednesday night with the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team scoring the final 11 points of the match to unseat reigning NWC Champion University of Puget Sound 3-1 (24-26, 25-19, 25-22, 25-20) in front of a raucous crowd inside Olson Gymnasium.
 
The Lutes (4-7, 3-0 NWC) entered the evening in a four-way tie for first place in the NWC standings with the other three Washington schools. Just over two hours later, PLU emerged in sole possession of first place as the only 3-0 squad in the conference. 

"Wow, what a great atmosphere tonight," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. 

"Our team really rose up to the occasion, especially after losing the first set. Thanks to the home crowd, that really gave us the advantage. It's the best crowd in my 28 years that I've been here!"
 
PLU was trailing the Loggers (9-2, 2-1 NWC) 20-14 in the fourth set before getting a kill from Shaela Allen-Greggs. That point turned the tide, sparking an 11-0 run to close out the match. Tori Takeuchi served for the final 10 points, getting a kill to pull within a single point before an Elle Thomas block tied the set at 20-20. The Loggers' had five unforced errors to close out the set, giving PLU the 25-20 victory to wrap up the match in four sets. 
 
The Lutes scored the first four points of the match, getting a pair of aces from Olivia Evaro but Puget Sound battled back, ripping off five consecutive points to take a 14-11 lead. The Lutes answered with five straight to reclaim a 16-14 edge and it was a nip and tuck affair the rest of the set. PLU enjoyed a 23-20 lead courtesy of a Logger attack error but Puget Sound scored six of the final seven points to take the opener 26-24.
 
PLU held a slim 11-10 advantage in the second set before scoring four straight. The Lutes led the rest of the way, icing the set with 25-19 on a Halle Hetzler ace.
 
Puget Sound accumulated 10 of the opening 14 points of the third set before the Lutes chipped away at the lead. PLU tied the set at 17 only to see the Loggers score the next three points. The Lutes answered with a surge of their own, scoring five straight and eight of the next 10 to wrap up the set 25-22. 

Defeat Crosstown rival?
Snag sole-possession of 1st place in NWC ?
Remain perfect at home ?
Hear from @PLUvolleyball's Olivia Evaro after the big win over the other school in Tacoma #GoLutes pic.twitter.com/uGpBe4sgh0

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) September 21, 2023

 
Three Lutes ended the night with double-digit kills. Baylee Johnson collected 13 kills with Claire Hindman and Elle Thomas adding 11 and 10, respectively. Olivia Evaro had a match 35 assists and 14 digs  along with four aces. Halle Hetzler led PLU with 34 digs with Makenna Jackson contributing a career-high 24 digs. 
 
PLU hits the road on Friday, trekking to Salem, Oregon to face Willamette University. First serve is set for 7 p.m.