TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team kicked off Homecoming weekend on the right foot on Friday evening, taking care of Northwest Conference rival Linfield University 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21) to remain undefeated inside Olson Gymnasium this season.
Â
The Lutes (6-6, 4-1 NWC) were on fire to start the match, scoring the first five points and nine of the first 11 for a wire-to-wire 25-22 set victory. The Wildcats (4-6, 2-3 NWC) tried to flip the script in set two, scoring the opening three points and staking a 10-4 advantage. Linfield's lead swelled to 21-13 but a
Shaela Allen-Greggs kill jump started an 11-1 Lute run to take their first lead of the set. The team's traded service errors, pushing PLU ahead for the 25-23 set win.
Linfield avoided the sweep in the third set. PLU led 22-20 but the Cats tallied five of the final six to escape with the 25-23 set win.
The Lutes sealed the match in the fourth, racing out to a 24-17 lead and taking the set 25-21 to win the match and extend the squad's home win streak to eight matches.
Â
Alexis Eggert was dialed in with a team-high 14 kills while also adding three blocks.
Julissa Pernsteiner had 10 kills while
Ayre Takamoto racked up the assists, accounting for 31 of PLU's 38 assists on the night.
Macy Matsushima led the defense with 22 digs while
Bailey Johnson added nine.
Â
"It was a great hard fought win over a much improved Linfield team," said Head Coach
Kevin Aoki.
Â
"We're looking forward to another tough match tomorrow against Pacific."
The Lutes return to the court tomorrow evening, battling Pacific University at 6 p.m. inside Olson Gymnasium.
Â
