Setting the Scene: After playing seven of its last eight matches on the road, Pacific Lutheran finally gets to enjoy the comforts of home, opening a five-match homestand tonight against Linfield.
Series History: The Lutes and Wildcats have met 96 times since the 1980 season with PLU holding a 55-41 edge in the all-time series. PLU has won eight of the last nine in the series but it was the Wildcats winning the first meeting of the season, prevailing 3-2 back on Sept. 23.
About the Lutes: Pacific Lutheran (10-8, 5-5 NWC) returns home after playing a pair of five set matches last weekend in eastern Washington against the Whits. The Lutes came away with the 3-2 victory over Whitworth last Friday, scoring the final five points of the match the secure the win before coming up short 3-2 at Whitman the following night.
Hailey Iha leads the Lutes and ranks sixth in the NWC in hitting percentage (.281) while Elle Thomas and Baylee Johnson rank eighth and ninth in the league in kills, averaging 2.9 and 2.7 per set, respectively.
Olivia Ever is third in the NWC in assists at 8.48 per set with Breeze Battle seventh in blocks (0.83 per set). Setting the tone in the backline is Halle Hetzler who leads the NWC in digs per set (6.1).
About the Wildcats: Linfield (8-9, 4-6 NWC) heads to Tacoma tonight, wrapping up a five-match road swing. The Wildcats have split their previous four road games, notching five set wins in Spokane over Whitworth and in Portland at the expense of Lewis & Clark. Linfield dropped 3-0 matches to both Whitman and Willamette during the road swing as well.
Raelynn Hammock lead the Cats with 218 kills on the season, averaging 3.4 per set while also registering a team-high 28 aces. Ayla Dixon is the main distributor for Linfield, averaging 7.4 assists per set while Paige Richards leads the defense, tallying 3.6 digs per set.
Home Sweet Home: Olson Gymnasium has been a daunting environment for opposing teams with the Lutes enjoying a 120-20 record in the facility since the 2006 season. That includes unbeaten home records during the 2018, 2014, 2013, and 2007 campaigns.
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Trailblazing NIL the D3 Way: PLU Athletics continues to lead the way nationally in Name, Image, and Likeness, unveiling the Luteville Marketplace on August 31 through the department's partnership with Opendorse. Learn more about the deal here: LINK. 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.
Next Home Match:
Oct. 22 vs. Lewis & Clark 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