Lutes set record

PLU women’s basketball holds team to 16 points

Stephen Odell

Mast Sports Reporter

New Lutes’ head coach Kelly Warnke seems determined to imprint the 2007-2008 Pacific Lutheran women’s team into the record books.

In a Nov. 16 game against Texas Lutheran in Portland, PLU’s regular season opener, the Lute women held the Bulldogs to 16 points, the fewest ever allowed by PLU in a single game.
The Lutes eventually won the game 64-16.

“We realized their level wasn’t as high as we hoped,” Warnke said of a game in which all 10 of her players played at least 12 minutes each.

The victory propelled the Lutes to the Nov. 17 championship game in the Northwest Lutheran Invitational Tournament in Portland, Ore.

PLU suffered a 81-62 loss at the hands of Concordia, Neb., a game filled with mental mistakes by PLU, according to Warnke.

“We knew they were very fundamentally sound,” said Warnke, referring to Concordia. “They’re going to do very well this season.”

Next, PLU faced Northwest University in a match-up Saturday, Nov. 24.

PLU trailed by as many as 10 points in the final 7 minutes of the game but was able to beat the Eagles in Kirkland, Wash. with a final score of 59-56.

“I think it just shows the fight of our team and our will to win,” said senior guard Kyle Haag, who was selected to the Northwest Lutheran Invitational All-Tournament team.

Haag is leading the PLU women’s basketball team with an average of 12.7 points per game.
“She compliments the other four players on the floor,” Warnke said of Haag.

Haag is emerging as a leader for the Lutes as well.

“She leads with her work ethic,” said Warnke.

Haag is one of many players who have made an immediate impact for Pacific Lutheran this season.

Haag, Emily Voorhies, Trinity Gibbons and Nikki Scott have all made significant contributions.

“Each individual provides something unique,” Warnke said.

PLU tipped-off its first home game of the year Nov. 27 against Warner Pacific, winning 64-36. Warner Pacific is a very athletic team, according to Warnke.

“I think we’re all really excited,” Haag said.

PLU will continue its home schedule with another game on Dec. 7 versus Concordia at Olsen Auditorium.

Warnke is pleased with the team’s play thus far. But winning comes with a price.

“The better they play, the higher my expectations are for them,” said Warnke.

Photo by Chris Hunt

Junior guard Nikki Scott drives to the hoop during a game last season. The Lutes have started the season 2-1.