Pacific Lutheran Registers 11 Blocks in 3-0 Win over Bearcats

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Pacific Lutheran University earned 11.0 team total blocks, and received 11 kills from Isabella Zubrod, as the Lutes defeated Willamette University, 3-0, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Friday, Oct. 14 at Cone Field House. The Lutes won 25-15, 25-18, 25-21 to up their record to 8-9 on the season, 6-3 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 5-13 overall, 3-7 in the NWC.

Mackenzie Harris led Pacific Lutheran with six total blocks, as she produced two block solos and four block assists. Danielle Skibiel added five block assists, while Chloe Epker and Roshel Donwen each finished with four block assists.

Zubrod's 11 kills topped all players on both teams. Gabrielle Alley and Skibiel each supplied the Lutes with eight kills. Caylie Shiramizu provided a match-high 25 digs. Alley tacked on 18 digs. Kiana Calles accumulated 23 assists for PLU.

Willamette's defense achieved 7.0 team total blocks. Madison Haley (Fr., MH/OPP, Truckee, CA/Tahoe Truckee HS) provided a team-high four block assists, while Taylor Lum (Sr., MH/OH, Honolulu, HI/Maryknoll HS) contributed one block solo and two block assists.

Alexa Dowdell (Sr., OH/OPP, Mililani, HI/Maryknoll HS) pounded out nine kills for Willamette. Jennifer Lane (Fr., MH/OH, Salinas, CA/Notre Dame HS) registered five kills.

Lauren Stiles (Fr., OH, Altadena, CA/Flintridge Preparatory School) was credited with 12 digs. Kunani Tuttle (Fr., S/OPP, Anahola, HI/Kappa HS) and Tynan Gable (Jr., S, Woodinville, WA/Woodinville HS) each supplied 15 assists.

The Lutes led 9-5 after 14 rallies in the opening set. Willamette scored the next three points to pull within 9-8 on a kill by Dowdell. Pacific Lutheran then gained control of the set with nine consecutive points for an 18-8 advantage. The run, which included eight strong serves by Calles, featured three kills by Zubrod. PLU won the set, 25-15.

In the second set, the Lutes took leads of 5-1 and 10-4. Willamette cut the margin to 13-9 on a kill by Dowdell, but PLU built a 19-12 advantage. The Bearcats eventually reduced the lead to four points once again at 22-18 following a combo block by Dowdell and Haley. The Lutes took the set 25-22 on kills from Angelica Hulett, Epker and Harris.

Although Pacific Lutheran zoomed out to a 12-4 lead in the third set, Willamette battled back to tie the score at 14-14. The 10-2 run started with a kill by Stiles and also included two kills by Dowdell, two kills from Lane and a service ace by Stiles.

PLU took a 15-14 lead on a kill by Zubrod. The Bearcats answered with a 3-0 run to move in front, 17-15.

The Lutes gained the next three points to take an 18-17 advantage on a block by Skibiel and Donwen. WU forced the fourth tie of the set with a kill by Riley Fawcett (Sr., OH, Normandy Park, WA/John F. Kennedy HS), but the Lutes went on a 6-0 run for a 24-18 margin.

A block from Fawett and Haley, plus a solo block by Lum and a kill by Fawett, pulled Willmette within 24-21. A kill by Skibiel provided Pacific Lutheran with the final point of the match.

Willamette's next action is set for Saturday, Oct. 21, when the Bearcats will play Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PDT).