FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Pacific Volleyball saw its three-game win streak snapped after Pacific Lutheran edged out the five-set victory on Friday night in the Stoller Center.
The Boxers hit .212 as a team but the Lutes were firing on all cylinders, hitting .229 on the night.
Top Performers
- Mara Murphy enjoyed a great performance, recording 23 kills while hitting .228. This is the third time the sophomore has had 20 or more kills this season.
- Alison Brown posted a season-high 17 kills with a very efficient hitting percentage of .286.
- Emily Cheavtharn eclipsed her career-high yet again, going for 49 assists. She also earned her first double-double by recording 12 digs.
- Danica Nelson also had a career-best 37 digs in the contest.
How It Happened
Pacific struggled out of the gates as PLU raced to a 6-1 lead in the opening set, forcing a timeout. The Boxers cut the deficit to two points, but another run allowed the visitors to take a 12-5 advantage. PLU would eventually take the first set 25-19.
The second set appeared to be a recreation of the first after the Lutes rattled off eight straight points, however, Pacific replied with three kills from Murphy followed by four from Brown to take the lead. The Boxers would close the set on a 5-0 run, finishing things off with a Nelson service ace.
Pacific Lutheran used another five-point rally to build an advantage in the third set. PLU rode that momentum to the 25-16 win in set three to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
It was Forest Grove's team who would take control in the fourth set, jumping to a 4-1 lead. The Lutes would rally to take a one-point lead, but Murphy would slam three straight kills to give her team some life. Pacific took the fourth set 25-19 to send the match to a decisive fifth.
In the final set, it was all Pacific Lutheran, as the visitors built a 7-1 lead that the Red and Black could not recover from. PLU won the fifth set 15-7 to edge the Boxers 3-2.
What It Means
The Boxers fall to 8-5 and 3-3 in NWC play. Pacific remains in fifth place in the conference standings.
Up Next
Pacific head north to Spokane, Wash. on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. to take on conference leaders Whitworth.
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