LA VERNE, Calif. - Opening up the 2008 NCAA Division III Volleyball West Region, the 20th-ranked Puget Sound Loggers fell victim to the 14th-ranked Cal Lutheran Regals in three straight sets, 25-23, 25-19, 25-16, on Thursday afternoon in La Verne, Calif.

The Loggers got off to a great start, holding a 15-8 advantage early in the first set but the Regals roared back, tying the game at 17-17. The teams continued to battle but CLU edged out UPS to take the first set, 25-23.

In the second set, the two teams continued to play tight through the first part of the frame but the Regals eventually pulled ahead and the Loggers couldn't catch up, falling 25-19 in set two and falling behind 2-0 in the match.

The third set was all Cal Lutheran as the Loggers were plagued by a number of attack errors as the Regals collected the 25-16 victory to clinch the set in three straight.

The Loggers were led by eight kills from Lindsay Denman (Kenmore, Wash./Inglemoor), who was named AVCA All-West Region earlier in the day. Brynn Blickenstaff (Eagle, Idaho) and Emma Bryant (South St. Paul, Minn./Wisconsin-Superior) each added seven kills in the loss. Senior setter Jamee Fred (Centennial, Colo./Grandview) put up 22 assists in her final collegiate match.

Allison Kerr led Cal Lutheran with 12 kills on the match. Summer Plante-Newman and Erin Exline each added 10 kills in the win as the Regals advanced to Friday's match against Cal State East Bay.

The Loggers finish their season with a record of 17-8 overall.

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