WALLA WALLA, Wash. -
Teia Magaoay posted team highs of 20 assists and 17 digs but it wasn't enough as the Whitman College women's volleyball team suffered its first home loss of the season in a 25-20, 25-19, 25-23 sweep to Pacific Lutheran in Northwest Conference action on Friday night at the Sherwood Center.
Kenzie Martinez added a match-high 12 digs for Whitman (3-9, 2-3 NWC) who were competitive on attack, hitting almost at an even clip with the Lutes (6-7, 5-0 NWC) who remained undefeated and atop the league standings.
Claire Hindman led the Lutes with 11 kills and Halle Hetzler added a match-high 22 digs.
It was a strong start to the match for the Lutes who posted kills on four of their first five points to open up an early 6-2 first-set lead. The Blues got things going and shaved their deficit to one point after a Navi Islam-Zwart kill. PLU responded in kind and pushed the lead back up to eight points, but three kills over a four-point Whitman stretch, and later another pair of kills from Lilli Thompson kept the Blues within striking distance at 18-15. Martinez had a couple of kills down the stretch, but it were Baylee Johnson and the Lutes that pulled away late.
The Lutes led throughout in set two to take a commanding two-set lead. Hindman delivered back-to-back kills and Haley Goto got in on a pair of blocks to give their team a 10-4 lead. Timely defense on several lengthy rallies kept the Blues in the majority of points, but they found themselves down by seven points late in the set. Back-to-back Elle Thomas kills helped close the door for the Lutes.
Whitman gave PLU a run for its money in set three in an effort to keep the match going. The Blues got off to a hot start but after the Lutes ran off five unanswered points, they found themselves down by four. Still trailing in the later stages, Martinez got hot and drilled a pair of kills to whittle the lead to four points. Jackie Zapanta then recorded back-to-back aces to level the score at 16-16. The two teams traded points down the stretch but ultimately it were the Lutes that squealed out the win.
The Blues return to action Saturday against Puget Sound. First serve at the Sherwood Center is set for 6:00 p.m.
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