PARKLAND, Wash. - Starting out red-hot and never really cooling off, the 10th-ranked Puget Sound Loggers swept past the 20th-ranked Pacific Lutheran Lutes, 25-23, 25-20, 25-23, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Wednesday night at Olson Auditorium in Parkland, Wash.

The Loggers (8-3, 3-0 NWC) couldn't be stopped in the first part of the opening set, holding a ten-point lead midway through but the Lutes (7-5, 1-2 NWC) put together a comeback to pull even at 22 before the Loggers put on a late run to take the 25-23 set victory.

In the second set, the Logger again started strong as both teams had a strong hitting set.  The Lutes improved from .071 in the first set to .125 in the second set but the Loggers were again the tougher team, improving from .182 in set one to .244 in the second set, recording 15 kills and five errors on 41 total attacks as they took the 25-20 set win and a 2-0 match advantage heading into the break.

In the match's final set, the Lutes got the first point but the Loggers continued to battle.  Despite PLU hitting .220 on the set, the Loggers used a strong defensive presence at the net to pull ahead.  With three team block in the final set, the Loggers were able to stay ahead and collect the 25-23 set victory to clinch the match in three straight sets.

Puget Sound was led by 15 kills from freshman Brynn Blickenstaff (Eagle, Idaho).  Junior Lindsey Denman (Kenmore, Wash./Inglemoor) chipped in 12 kills to go with 11 digs while Jamee Fred (Centennial, Colo./Grandview) added 29 assists to her season totals.

The Lutes were led by 14 kills from Beth Hanna.  Sarah Beaver added 30 assists while Brenna Archibald had a match-high 22 digs in the loss.

The Loggers head down to Salem, Ore. on Friday night for a match against the Willamette Bearcats.

Box Score