Oct. 21, 2006

Lutes Survive Scare from Willamette

(Courtesy Willamette Sports Information Office)

Match Statistics

SALEM, ORE. — Willamette University almost upset 21st-ranked Pacific Lutheran University in a Northwest Conference volleyball match at the Sparks Center on Saturday, Oct. 21. Along the way, the Bearcats put a scare into the Lutes, as Willamette won the first and third games, before PLU rallied for a 26-30, 30-16, 25-30, 30-21, 15-8 victory.

Pacific Lutheran improved to 18-4 overall, 12-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 4-18 on the season, 0-11 in the NWC.

PLU entered the game ranked No. 21 in the NCAA Division III Poll conducted by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Even so, the Bearcats took the Lutes the distance before the NWC leaders prevailed.

In the first game, Pacific Lutheran got out to a quick start, as the Lutes built a 10-4 lead. The Lutes also led 12-6, before Willamette ran off seven unanswered points. The Lutes eventually took a 26-24 lead, but the Bearcats responded by stringing together six consecutive points to win the game, 30-26.

The second game began with Pacific Lutheran surging out to a 13-3 lead, and the Bearcats were never able to recover. Willamette pulled within five points at 15-10, but couldn’t catch the Lutes, who evened the match at one game apiece with a 30-16 triumph.

Willamette and PLU were tied at 20-20 in the third game, but the Bearcats scored the next four points to take command. The Lutes managed to cut the deficit to 25-22, but Willamette countered by winning two rallies in a row. The teams exchanged the next six points, as WU took a 30-25 victory and a 2-1 lead in the match.

In the fourth game, PLU received six kills from Kati McGinn and five kills from Kelcy Joynt, as the Lutes earned a 30-21 win.

The Bearcats led 2-1 in the deciding game before the Lutes scored five straight points to start a 9-1 run. PLU’s 10-3 lead sent the Lutes on their way to a 13-5 advantage and McGinn registered two kills in a row to complete the match.

Pacific Lutheran was led by McGinn, who finished with 20 kills, 22 digs, four service aces and three block assists. Stacie Matz provided 18 kills and 10 digs, while Gina Di Maggio contributed 10 kills, 10 digs, 54 assists and six total blocks. Megan Kosel topped all players for both teams with 26 digs. PLU achieved a hitting percentage of .192, including .500 in the fifth game.