Pacific Lutheran Rolls Past Bearcats, 3-0, as Lutes Improve to 15-3

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Pacific Lutheran University swept past Willamette University, 25-15, 25-15, 25-15, on Friday, Oct. 14 at Cone Field House, as the Lutes hit .238, earned nine service aces and produced 10.0 team total blocks. PLU improved to 15-3 overall, 7-2 in the Northwest Conference, while recording its 11th 3-0 victory of the season. Willamette dropped to 7-12 overall, 4-6 in the NWC.

The Lutes appeared in top form and looked like a team that had only lost three matches -- two to their crosstown rivals from the University of Puget Sound, ranked #19. The only other team to defeat PLU so far this season was Whitworth University, which leads the Northwest Conference standings at 7-1.

PLU is now in sole possession of second place in the NWC at 7-2, one-half match behind Whitworth. Lewis & Clark College upset Puget Sound, 3-0, in Portland, Ore., on Friday to drop the Loggers into a tie for third place with Pacific University at 6-3.

On Friday, the Lutes showed their ability to play well early in each set, building leads of 10-5, 10-6 and 12-3, respectively. The Bearcats reduced the deficit a bit toward the end of each set, but couldn't overcome the Lutes' consistent, solid play.

Kelsie Moore led PLU with 10 kills, while hitting .308 for the night. Missy DeWalt added eight kills, no attacking errors and a .500 hitting percentage. The Lutes pounded out 38 kills from 11 different players.

Pacific Lutheran also finished with 40 digs, two block solos and 16 block assists. The libero, Blair Bjorkman, amassed 11 digs and played well on serve receive. Bethany Huston topped the Lutes with seven total blocks, as she recorded two block solos and five block assists. Samantha North provided 28 assists.

Madisyn Leenstra (Jr., MH/OH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS) earned nine kills for the Bearcats and contributed a .240 hitting percentage. Kathy Lee Glenn (Jr., LIB/DS, Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS) achieved a match-high 12 digs and helped with receiving serves. Setter Emily Compton (So., Portola, CA/Portola HS/Boise State Univ.) dished out 20 assists.

Willamette accumulated 26 kills, but had 23 attacking errors. The Bearcats finished with 44 digs, but had just one service ace to go with one serving error.

The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, Oct. 21 with an NWC match at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PDT).