Setting the Scene: NWC-leading Pacific Lutheran inches closer to capturing its first league title since the 2018 season, welcoming in-state rival Whitman to Olson Gymnasium for the team's annual Dig Pink match.
Series History: The Lutes and Blues have met 93 times on the court since the 1982 season with Pacific Lutheran enjoying a 72-21 edge in the all-time series. Whitman swept the series in 2022 but the Lutes have won 13 of the last 15, including a 3-0 victory back on Sept. 29 in Walla Walla.
About the Lutes: The first-place Lutes (13-7, 12-0 NWC) keep winning, extending their win streak to 12 matches last Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Willamette.
PLU's victory over the Bearcats was the program's seventh victory in straight sets this season. The Lutes have gone to five sets just once during NWC play— a 3-2 come from behind victory over defending NWC Champion Puget Sound last Wednesday.
Claire Hindman led the Lutes in their win over Willamette, netting 11 kills including a set clinching kill in the opening set for a 25-23 win. The Lutes went on to claim sets two and three by 25-16 and 25-18 scores.
Olivia Evaro finished the match with 33 assists and 13 digs with Halle Hetzler coming up with a team-high 17 digs.
Halle Hetzler continues to lead the nation in digs per set (7.07) while ranking fifth nationally in total digs (523). Olivia Evaro sits 14th in the nation in assists per set (10.01) and is 30th nationally in total assists (741). As a team, PLU ranks eighth in D3 in digs per set (19.58) and 11th in team attacks per set (39.74).
About the Blues: Whitman (4-15, 3-9 NWC) won its opening two matches of conference play but it's been tough sledding since, dropping nine of the last 10.
The Blues' lone victory during that stretch was a 3-0 road victory over Lewis & Clark on Oct. 13. Since then, Whitman was swept 3-0 by Willamette, fell 3-1 to George Fox, and fell just short 3-2 to Pacific last Saturday.
Kenzie Martinez leads the Blues in kills with 204 on the season, averaging 3.24 per set. Nicole Kelly adds 2.22 per set and a team-high 29 aces while Teia Magaoay is the primary setter with 549 assists on the season (8.19 per set).
Defensively, Jackie Zapanta has a team-high 208 digs in 2023, netting 3.59 per set while Magaoay adds 2.54 per set. Lola Folk is the team's top blocker with 37 on the season.
Home Sweet Home: Olson Gymnasium has been a daunting environment for opposing teams with the Lutes enjoying a 130-20 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. 28 vs. Whitworth at 6 p.m.
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