TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team showed exactly why they're the reigning Northwest Conference Champions, opening league play with a three-set sweep (25-21, 25-23, 25-17) of Linfield University inside Olson Gymnasium on Friday night. 
 
All 17 Lutes (6-4, 1-0 NWC) on the roster found the floor in the victory, extending the squad's home winning streak to 18 consecutive matches. 

"It a good way to start and get all the 17 players in the game. We're going to have a target on our back all year because of what we did last year but this squad is more than up to the challenge," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki.
 
Visiting Linfield (3-5, 0-3 NWC) scored the matches opening point and held an early lead before a Kailee Efros-Bohn kill tied the game and sparked a 5-0 rally for the homestanding Lutes. PLU played with the lead the rest of the set, scoring the final three points, including a set clinching ace from Macy Matsushima to take the opener 25-21.

While PLU never trailed, the second set was a nailbiter with the Wildcats tying the set at 23-23 after erasing a six-point deficit. A Julissa Pernsteiner kill and a Wildcat attack error ensured the set victory for the Lutes, escaping with the 25-23 set two win.

A Claire Hindman kill for the opening point set the tone in the third set as PLU scored the opening four points and raced out to an early 8-1 lead. The Lutes would maintain a healthy buffer the entire set with an Efros-Bohn kill sealing a 25-17 set win for the Lutes' second straight home match sweep.

Hindman led the Lutes with 11 kills with a .348 attack percentage and three aces. Efros-Bohn tallied 10 kills while Shaela Allen-Greggs added nine. Ayre Takamoto had 28 assists while defensively Makenna Jackson had 20 digs. PLU had 10 aces off the serves off five different platers with Hindman and Matsushima each with three apiece. 

Lute Sports Network's Jonathan Cohen catches up with Kailee Efros-Bohn who had 10 kills in @PLUvolleyball's three-set sweep of Linfield to open NWC play #GoLutes pic.twitter.com/YPAUrEjzES

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) September 21, 2024

 
The Lutes are back on the court on Saturday evening, hosting Willamette University at 6 p.m. 

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