TACOMA, Wash. — The seven-time Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer program partnered with Tacoma-based Rainier Adapted Sports over President's Day weekend, volunteering at the organization's wheelchair basketball tournament. 
 
The Lutes had 26 student-athletes volunteering at the Northwest Presidents Cup on Feb. 17 & 18, a two-day event featuring over 200 participants and 12 different teams— including Rainier Adapted Sports' wheelchair basketball team— the Tacoma Titans. 

  "I thought the wheelchair basketball tournament was a great experience to be a part of and help out with. I'm very happy our team got to be able to help! We were all very glad to be there to support," said Lyla Merte. 
 
Rainier Adapted Sports provides community members in the Tacoma area an inclusive environment for individuals of all abilities to experience sports, recreation, and social opportunities. Established in 2020 with the help from PLU kinesiology professor Charlie Katica, Rainier Adapted Sports offers sporting opportunities in wheelchair basketball (Tacoma Titans), beep baseball (Puget Sound Wave), track & field and road racing (Renegades Race Team), and goalball (Grit City Sound). 
 
"The wheelchair basketball tournament was a really cool event for our team to help with. We enjoyed watching the games and getting to know the community while volunteering. We helped in the kitchen, ran the scoreboard and shot clock, kept stats, and cheered. Rainier Adaptive is an awesome organization that Dr. Katica has grown and I'm happy our team was able to be a part of the tournament," said Julia Causbie.
 
The Lutes wrapped up the 2023 season with a 15-5-1 record, including a 13-3 mark in Northwest Conference play to win the program's seventh consecutive league title. PLU qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament for the fourth consecutive year and the sixth time in the last seven seasons, falling 1-0 to host Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.