The Pioneer volleyball team closed out their weekend of back-to-back matches against ranked teams with a 30-14, 32-20, 30-21 loss to the #21 Pacific Lutheran Lutes. Katherine Fiedler and Sara Kettler each had seven kills for the Pioneers.

After falling 30-14 in game one, a revitalized Pioneer team came out ready to fight in game two. After trailing 25-20, the Pioneers played solid defense , taking advantage of  Lute errors to draw within one, 26-25. A big hit and kill by Sara Kettler (senior, Dana Point, Calif.) knotted the game at 26-26. A block by Kettler and Nicki Smith (senior, Brea, Calif.) gave the Pioneers a 27-26 lead. The Lutes tied the game at 27-27. The Pioneers tied the game 28-28 before a kill by the the Lutes' Kelcy Joynt gave PLU a game-point chance at 29-28. A back-row attack by Leah Collins (senior, Philo, Calif.) staved off the game point and tied the game 29-29. Sara Kettler thwarted another game point at 30-29 with a kill to tie the game 30-30. Back-to-back kills by the Lutes' outside hitter Beth Hanna sealed the 32-30 victory. In game three, the Pioneers trailed by eight, 18-10, but rallied to come within two points, 18-16, taking advantage of Lutes miscues along with timely kills by Katherine Fiedler (freshman, San Diego, Calif.) and Kelsey Clark (junior, Eagle Creek, Ore.), but the Lutes regained control of the game and held on for the 30-21 victory.

Sara Kettler led the Pioneers with seven kills and two block-assists. Katheinr Fiedler also had seven kills with one block assit.

With the loss, the Pioneers fall to 4-8 (0-2 NWC). The #21 Lutes improve to 7-3 (2-0 NWC). The Pioneers return home next weekend with a Friday night match against the Pacific Boxers and a Saturday night match with the George Fox Bruins. Both night's action starts at 7pm.