Volleyball Looks to Stay on Top in 2024

“We lost a lot of players from last year’s team but we have seven seniors and they will play a pivotal role in the leadership and culture of this team.”

Makenna Jackson will fill in as libero for the Lutes. One of just four Lutes to play all 105 sets last season, the Roy, Washington native racked up 255 digs and 49 aces last fall as a defensive specialist. Beyond her on-court abilities, the Lutes will rely on Jackson for her leadership abilities as well.

“We will look for Mckenna to be one of our spiritual motivator and voice on the team. That’s just the type of player she is.”

Another senior impact player for the Lutes will be Claire Hindman who was a Second Team All-Conference honoree in 2023. The Mount Vernon, Washington native was second on the team in kills with 276, while sporting a .243 attack percentage. The senior was additionally third on the team in blocks with 41.

Sydney Aoki will again ply her trade in the back row. Known for a tough serve, the senior tallied 121 digs and 10 aces last fall. 

Callie Simmonds was injured last fall and saw action in just four sets but looks to be back and healthy. As a first-year during the 2021 campaign, Simmonds played in 25 matches, netting 153 kills, 33 aces, and 19 blocks.

Rounding out the senior class is Kailee Efros-Bohn, Noe Feliciano, and Noelani McGivern.

“Kailee could make an impact vying for starting roles at outside hitter. Noelani will provide some tough serving off the bench and Noe also can play front row as an outside, and provide some back row depth.”

PLU’s juniors include middle blocker Haley Goto and setter Jordan Freer.

“Jordan has gotten a lot better in the offseason along with Haley, who is also vying for some playing time. She started part of the time last year and that helped her getting some playing experience. So look for her to play some middle for us.”

Last fall, Goto appeared in 70 sets for the Lutes and led the team in blocks with 58 on the season. The Honolulu, Hawaii native also was fifth on the team in kills with 107. 

The Lutes have four sophomores this year in Shaela Allen-Greggs, Savanna Colliado, Alexis Eggert, and Bailey Johnson.  

Also a member of the PLU women’s basketball team, two-sport star Shaela Allen-Greggs made the most of her limited opportunities last fall, finishing with 23 kills and showing off a powerful arm. 

“Shaela is one of those players that can make a major impact at the outside hitting position. She has a powerful arm and ‘heavy velo,’ to use a baseball term.”

Eggert was a key player for the Lutes late in the season last year, finishing her debut season with 75 kills and 31 blocks.

“Alexis was really a force for us in the middle over the last third of the season. She’s probably going to get more of a workload for us as a returner. At the end of the season she was one of our go-to’s when we needed a point or a side out."

Colliado and Johnson both look to play bigger roles this fall after having a full collegiate season under their belts.

“Last year Savanna trained primarily as a setter but we will use her most of the time as a defensive specialist. She has all around great skills and a feel for the game while Bailey has proven in preseason to be a very good outside hitter along with her defense and serving.”

New to the squad will be four first-years in Honolulu natives Macy Matsushima and Ayre Takamoto and Washington natives Madi Muilpola and Julissa Pernsteiner.

Takamoto has big shoes to fill, replacing All-League setter Olivia Evaro. But it’s a task that Aoki is confident the Kalani High School graduate can tackle. 

“Ayre was a big get for us. She’s going to have to take on a pretty big role for us but after the first few days of practice, I feel she can take over that spot for us.”