Setting the Scene: Pacific Lutheran is off to its best start to Northwest Conference play since 2013. The first place Lutes put their six match win streak on the line tonight as they square off against second place George Fox.
Series History: The Lutes and Bruins are meeting for the 75th time since 1980 with PLU enjoying a 47-27 advantage in the all-time series. PLU has won 25 of the last 27 meetings with the programs splitting the series last fall. The Lutes won 3-1 at home on Oct. 7 with the Bruins returning the favor in Newberg on Nov. 4, earning a 3-1 win.
About the Lutes: Pacific Lutheran (7-7, 6-0 NWC) has been on fire to start Northwest Conference play, winning six straight matches to open the conference slate for the first time since 2013.
The Lutes hit the road last weekend, earning a 3-0 victory over Whitman and a 3-1 win in Whitworth.
Claire Hindman led the Lutes with 11 kills against the Blues with Elle Thomas netting 10 kills and Haley Goto finishing with five blocks.
The following night Baylee Johnson had 13 kills and Thomas added 12 in the four-set win over the Pirates. Halle Hetzler finished with 43 digs and five aces to give PLU a victory in Spokane for the second consecutive season.
Baylee Johnson leads the Lutes and ranks third in the NWC in kills, averaging 3.1 per set. Olivia Evaro leads the conference in assists, averaging 9.6 per set while Halle Hetzler leads all of collegiate volleyball (NCAA Divisions I, II, III, and NAIA) in digs per set (7.12).
Attaways: Halle Hetzler won NWC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for the third consecutive week and the 17th time in her storied Lute career. Hetzler previously won the award on Sept. 25, Sept. 18, and Sept. 5. Last fall, Hetzler won NWC Player of the Week four times while earning the honor three times apiece during the 2021 fall season, the 2021 spring season, and in 2019.
About the Bruins: George Fox (9-4, 5-1 NWC) heads to Tacoma having won four straight matches. The Bruins dropped a five set match to Puget Sound in the opening week of conference play before ripping off wins over Whitman (3-0), Whitworth (3-2), Linfield (3-0), and Lewis & Clark (3-1).
Kassandra Staton leads George Fox in kills, averaging 2.96 per set while Emily Bragg boasts a .359 attack percentage with 109 kills on the year. The offense primarily runs through Kennedy Kibby who averages 7.83 assists per set while also netting a team-high 30 aces.
Defensively, Olivia Jacobsen leads the team in blocks with 36 while Piper Harrop averages a team-best 5.17 digs per set.
Home Sweet Home: Olson Gymnasium has been a daunting environment for opposing teams with the Lutes enjoying a 127-20 record in the facility since the 2006 season. That includes unbeaten home records during the 2018, 2014, 2013, and 2007 campaigns.
NWC Preseason Coaches' Poll
Lute Highlights vs. UPS
Trailblazing NIL the D3 Way: PLU Athletics continues to lead the way nationally in Name, Image, and Likeness, unveiling the Luteville Marketplace last fall through the department's partnership with Opendorse. But don't stay on the sidelines, get involved and connect with PLU student-athletes on the Luteville Marketplace: LINK
The Luteville Marketplace is the first dedicated NIL marketplace in Division III on the Opendorse platform that directly connects student-athletes with fans, supporters, and business partners in an easy to use website.
Stay connected to your favorite teams by downloading the official mobile app of the Pacific Lutheran University athletic department powered by SIDEARM Sports, available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
Featuring real-time news alerts, schedules, exclusive multimedia content, gameday details and more, the new PLU Athletics app is free and compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
Next Home Match:
Oct. 7 vs. Lewis & Clark at 6 p.m.
Bjug Day 2023
October 17-18 is the 10th annual Bjug Day of Giving. Lutes like you are giving to what they love, including LanceLute who has been training for the big day.
PLU Non-Discrimination Policy: Pacific Lutheran University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator Jennifer Childress-White; 253-535-7361; TitleIX@plu.edu