Pacific Lutheran University Athletics

LA VERNE, Calif. — The reigning Northwest Conference Tournament Champion Pacific Lutheran University volleyball squad earned wins on two different courts in two different cities on Saturday, closing its California trip with victories over 11th-ranked University of La Verne and Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.

The Lutes (7-2) toppled 2025 NCAA Division III runner-up Leopards in five sets (27-25, 14-25, 25-16, 12-25, 15-12) at La Verne's Sports Science Athletic Pavilion before taking down the Sagehens 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-21, 25-22) at Voelkel Gymnasium in Claremont. 
 
Against the Leopards (3-3), PLU scored six of the matches opening seven points. La Verne crawled back into the set, scoring six straight and eight of nine to seize an 18-16 lead. ULV's lead bumped to 24-20 before the Lutes ripped off five straight points. PLU eventually emerged with the 27-25 set win thanks to a Julissa Pernsteiner clinching kill.

La Verne led wire-to-wire in set two, scoring 17 of the first 21 for the 25-14 set win. PLU led 11-9 in the third before scoring nine of the next 10, cruising to the 25-16 set win. La Verne rebounded, taking the fourth 25-12 setting up a decisive fifth set.

The fifth was tied at 10 but the Lutes got kills from Je T'aime Paio and Alexis Eggert and did just enough to seal the 15-12 win to upset the Leopards.

Eggert led the attach with 16 kills, finishing with a .256 attack percentage. Ayre Takamoto tallied 40 of PLU's 44 assists on the day while digging up 14 balls while Macy Matsushima had 27 digs and three aces. Madi Mulipola added 14 digs while Savanna Colliado and Paio earning 13. 
 
In the nightcap, PLU never trailed in the first set, scoring four of the final five points, including two straight kills from Paio to stake a 25-22 set win. Pomona-Pitzer answered in the set second, taking it 25-21 to level the match.

PLU tallied eight of the first 12 points in the third. The Sagehens briefly took the lead at 10-9, 11-10, and finally 13-12, but PLU answered with five straight and never looked back for the 25-21 set win. 
 
Paio led the offense with 16 kills with Eggert adding 14 and Pernsteiner chipping in nine. Takamoto tallied 40 assists and 13 digs with Matsushima pacing the defensive work with 26 digs.

"This is probably the best non-conference season that we've had in recent years. We were able to compete against good competition and showed a lot of grit and resilience playing back-to-back matches against good teams," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki.

"Looking forward to a season of good competition in the Northwest Conference."
 
The Lutes open up NWC action on Friday, hosting George Fox University inside Olson Gymnasium. First serve is set for 7 p.m.