Pacific Lutheran University Athletics

TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball squad won the opening set but saw the script flipped in the remaining sets on Saturday, falling 3-1 (14-25, 25-18, 26-24, 25-23) on senior night to Northwest Conference rival Linfield University inside Olson Gymnasium.

PLU (18-5, 11-3 NWC) led wire-to-wire in the first set, getting a pair of aces from Macy Matsushima to surge to an early 6-1 lead. The Lute advantage extended to 9-2 on a Je T'aime Paio ace. PLU kept the Wildcats (9-12, 6-8 NWC) at arm's length the rest of the set with a block from Mary Magoun and Julissa Pernsteiner delivering a 25-14 set win. 

The second set was tied at 16 before the visiting Wildcats caught fire, scoring nine of the final 11 points to steal a 25-18 victory to tie the match at 1-1. 

The third set was a see saw battle. Tied at 24, Linfield scored the final two points, pulling ahead 2-1 with a 26-24 set win. Linfield replicated that performance in the fourth set, scoring three straight to turn a 21-21 deadlock into a 24-21 lead. Consecutive blocks from Magoun close the gap to a single point but a Wildcat kill gave the visitors the 25-23 set win to secure the match. 

"It was a great competitive match and Linfield happened to play lights out and probably played their best match of the year," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki.

"It was still a special night as we honored our three seniors and now we get ready for the Whits and the conference tournament."

Shaela Allen-Greggs led the Lutes with nine kills with Alexis Eggert and Julissa Pernsteiner adding seven kills. Ayre Takamoto racked up 27 assists and 15 digs while Macy Matsushima racked up 23 digs. 

Saturday was senior night with the program honoring Alexis Eggert, Savanna Colliado, and Shaela Allen-Greggs. The trio have helped the Lutes qualifying for four NWC Tournaments, win two NWC Tournament titles, one NWC regular season title and compile a 73-31 record on the court. That includes an impressive 32-4 mark in matches inside Olson Gymnasium. 

The Lutes hit the road to close out the regular season, trekking across the Cascades to Walla Walla on Friday to face in-state rival Whitman College. First serve is set for 7 p.m.