Setting the Scene: Pacific Lutheran continues its opening three-match homestand tonight, welcoming Linfield to Olson Gymnasium.
Series History: Pacific Lutheran and Linfield have battled 97 times on the court since the 1980 season with the Lutes holding a 56-41 edge in the all time series. That includes winning nine of the last 10 meetings. The two teams split the season series last fall with Linfield prevailing 3-2 in McMinnville and the Lutes rolling to a 3-0 win inside Olson Gymnasium.
About the Lutes: Pacific Lutheran (1-7) heads into the NWC slate battled tested after playing a rugged non-conference schedule the opening two weeks of the season.
The Lutes opened the season at the Puget Sound Premiere, dropping five set heartbreakers to Saint Benedict (Minn.) and host and reigning NWC Champion Puget Sound. It was a weekend that saw record-breaking libero Halle Hetzler become the first Lute in program history to collect 2,000 career digs, doing so in a 3-1 setback to Eastern (Pa.). Hetzler along with Baylee Johnson were both honored as part of the All-Tournament team with Hetzler additionally snagging NWC Defensive Player of the Week.
Last weekend, the Lutes were in Southern California. PLU opened the weekend by smashing Chapman 3-0 before falling to Whittier, Pomona-Pitzer, and LaVerne by identical 3-1 scores. Hetzler was named to the All-Tournament team for the second straight weekend.
Baylee Johnson leads the Lutes in kills, averaging 3.2 per set with Elle Thomas adding 2.8 per set. Olivia Evaro continues to serve as the team's primary setter, averaging 9.1 assists per set. Evaro ranks sixth in the nation in total assists with 291.
Defensively, Hetzler leads the team in digs, averaging 6.4 per set while also leading the team in aces. Hetzler leads the nation in total digs with season with 204 while sitting seventh in all of NCAA Division III in digs per set.
As a team, the Lutes rank 18th in total digs, 21st in kills, and 23rd in assists.
About the Wildcats: Linfield (4-3) heads to Tacoma for the weekend having won three straight matches. The Wildcats opened the season on the East Coast in Massachusetts, dropping two of their three matches but was on fire last weekend in Oregon, earning 3-0 wins over Wells, McMurry and West Coast Baptist.
Araeya Watanabe leads the Wildcats in kills with 64 on the season, averaging 2.8 per set with Rylie Kalahiki racking up 59 kills on the year. Claire Johnson is the Cats' setter, averaging 9.2 assists per set while on the defensive end, Paige Richards leads the team by averaging 3.7 digs per set.
Home Sweet Home: Olson Gymnasium has been a daunting environment for opposing teams with the Lutes enjoying a 124-20 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
5th Year Lutes
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:
Sept. 20 vs. Puget Sound at 7 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