OLYMPIA, Wash. – Combining for 10 service aces, the Evergreen Geoducks rolled past the Pacific Lutheran Lutes in straight sets, 25-18, 25-23, 25-16, in a non-conference volleyball match on Wednesday night at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.
In the opening set, the Lutes, ranked 11th in the latest AVCA Division III Top 25, kept it tight with the host Geoducks. With the frame tied at 15-15, the Geoducks scored 10 of the next 13 points to take a 25-18 win and the early lead.
Evergreen had their top hitting set in the first game, connecting for 13 kills with just three errors on 29 attacks for a .345 hitting percentage.
The second set looked eerily similar to the first except the Lutes grabbed control midway through. Trailing by two points at 21-19, the Geoducks took advantage of a PLU attack error and some timely hitting to tie the frame at 22-2 and a kill by Nicole Diehl clinched the set, 25-23.
Evergreen carried that late momentum directly into the third set as Pacific Lutheran trailed by double-digits before the Lutes even knew what hit them. Once PLU gathered their composure, they battled back but the early deficit was simply too much to overcome as Evergreen cruised to the 25-16 set three win to clinch the match for their first ever win over Pacific Lutheran.
The Geoducks were led by 13 kills from Brandee Victorino, who also had six aces and five digs on the night. Jaclyn Trinque finished with 31 assists on 40 total Evergreen kills while Natimia Barker-Doss led the back row with 11 digs. The Geoducks finished the match hitting .238, connecting for 40 kills with 16 errors on 101 total swings.
Pacific Lutheran was led by 10 kills from Lucy Capron, who also added three blocks. Samantha North finished with 25 of 28 PLU assists while Amber Aguiar dug out a match-high 15 balls. PLU hit .130 on the night, connecting for 30 kills with 18 errors on 92 total attacks.
Evergreen resumes Cascade Conference play on Friday night, playing host to 14th-ranked Eastern Oregon. First serve with the Mountaineers is set for 7 p.m. at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia.