Setting the Scene: NWC-leading Pacific Lutheran honors its senior class tonight prior to a showdown with second-place Whitworth inside Olson Gymnasium. Victories this weekend by the Lutes would clinch the No. 1 seed for the NWC Tournament and hosting rights for the event to be held on Nov. 10-11.
Series History: The Lutes and Pirates have met 90 times since the 1982 season with the series deadlocked at 45-45. PLU has won the last two meetings, including picking up a 3-1 victory back on Sept. 30 in Spokane. That match saw Baylee Johnson net 13 kills while Olivia Evaro netting 50 assists and 10 digs while Halle Hetzler racked up 43 digs.
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 Pirates: Whitworth (13-7, 10-2 NWC) heads into the weekend having won six straight matches. The Pirates haven't lost in the month of October, ripping off victories over Whitman (3-1), Linfield (3-0), Willamette (3-0), Lewis & Clark (3-1), Pacific (3-0), and George Fox (3-0).
Six of the Pirates' 10 conference victories have been in straight sets, including last weekend's victories over Pacific and George Fox.
Ella Jimenez leads the team in kills with 229 on the year, averaging 2.94 per set. Amblessed Okemgbo and Cassidy Franklin both have 161 kills this fall. Mya Rodriguez leads the team in assists with 454 on the season (5.82) while Josephine Thompson averages 4.55 per set.
Kaity Barr has a team-high 97 blocks on the season while also leading the team in aces with 35. Taylor Miche leads the squad in digs with 323 on the year, averaging 4.14 per set.
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.
Thank You Seniors!
This year's senior class has won 52 matches over the past four seasons, including 43 wins in NWC action. The Lutes have gone 24-4 inside Olson Gymnasium over the past four seasons. Three seniors— Halle Hetzler, Hailey Iha, and Baylee Johnson— have been with the Lutes for the past five seasons. Those three have helped the Lutes win 69 games over the past five seasons, including 53 victories in league play and a 30-6 mark inside Olson.
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 Match:
Nov. 3 vs. George Fox 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