Volleyball Bashes Loggers in Three Sets

TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball squad made quick work of crosstown rival University of Puget Sound on Wednesday night with the Lutes racking up 12 aces in a 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-20) victory in a Northwest Conference tilt inside Olson Gymnasium.

 
Both squads entered the night sitting atop the

league standings but the homestanding Lutes (6-6, 3-0 NWC) set the tone early, scoring the opening three points and staking a 13-4 lead in the first set. PLU kept its foot on the gas the rest of the set, scoring five of the final six points, including a set clinching kill from McKenzie Pfeiffer.

 
Set two followed a familiar script with the Lutes scoring the opening four points and scoring 15 of the opening 18 points. Pacific Lutheran was in cruise control the rest of the way with a Baylee Johnson kill giving the Lutes the 25-14 set win.

 
The Loggers (8-3, 2-1 NWC) took their first lead of the night early in the third set and trailed just 20-19 later in the frame but the Lutes tallied five of the final six points, including consecutive kills from Callie Simmonds to wrap up the match with a 25-20 set win.

Callie Simmonds had 10 kills & 4 aces for @PLUVolleyball tonight in the big win over their crosstown rivals. She chats with @PLU_Mbball sophomore Jackson Reisner about her performance! #GoLutes pic.twitter.com/tCjPKGtLvP

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) September 23, 2021

Simmonds finished with 10 kills, 11 digs, and four aces while Pfeiffer added 10 kills. Emily Dulaney racked up 32 assists while Halle Hetzler led the defensive efforts with 16 digs.

"That was so much fun tonight. The young ladies played with confidence and it's the first time all year that we played a complete match against a quality opponent," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. "Thanks to the home crowd especially the student section, they brought great energy tonight."

 
The Lutes finish off their homestand on Saturday, hosting George Fox University at 6 p.m.