TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team defended its home court Friday night, sweeping Willamette University 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 26-24) at Olson Auditorium to improve to 17-4 overall and 10-2 in Northwest Conference play.
The Lutes used a balanced offensive attack and a strong defensive effort to secure the victory, finishing with 41 kills, 36 assists and 62 digs. PLU hit .250 as a team while limiting the Bearcats to a .065 hitting percentage.
Pacific Lutheran faced a competitive challenge in the opening set, with Willamette keeping the score close throughout. The Lutes ultimately found the points they needed to pull away, taking the first set 25-22 and establishing early control of the match.
The second set belonged to PLU. The Lutes recorded 13 kills to build momentum and take the set 25-15. The defensive pressure continued against Willamette, which finished the frame with five kills and eight errors.
Willamette responded with its strongest offensive showing in the third set, collecting 13 kills and pushing the Lutes to extra points. Pacific Lutheran matched the Bearcats with 13 kills of its own and maintained its composure in the closing moments, prevailing 26-24 to complete the sweep.
Alexis Eggert led the Lutes with 10 kills and three total blocks, finishing with a .320 hitting percentage. Mary Magoun added nine kills, while Clare Freberg contributed seven kills and Shaela Allen-Greggs chipped in six.
Ayre Takamoto orchestrated the offense with 35 assists and added seven digs. Macy Matsushima led the defensive effort with 16 digs, while Savanna Colliado recorded 10 digs. Eggert's presence at the net helped anchor a blocking effort that produced four team blocks.
The Lutes' offensive efficiency proved to be a key difference, as PLU recorded 11 more kills than Willamette while committing nine fewer attack errors. Pacific Lutheran also held advantages in assists, 36-28, and digs, 62-51, helping the home side maintain control across all three sets.
The Lutes return to Olson Auditorium next Friday, Oct. 30, hosting Lewis & Clark College in a Northwest Conference match up scheduled for 7 p.m.
