Saint Martin's Topples Lutes

PARKLAND - Teilissa Tua recorded 14 kills to lead the Saint Martin's Saints to a 3-1 non-conference volleyball victory over the host Pacific Lutheran Lutes on Tuesday night in Olson Auditorium.

The Saints, who improved their overall record to 3-17, won the match by 25-17, 22-25, 25-18, 25-19. Pacific Lutheran, which played the entire match with only two regulars seeing any action, is now 16-6 this season.

Saint Martin's led the entire way in the first set despite having a -.023 attack percentage because the Lutes were even worse, hitting -.175. Tua was a bright spot for the Saints, collecting three of her kills on six attempts.

PLU found a rhythm in the second set with Hannah Harrison collecting five of her eight kills. The Lutes hit .171 compared to .070 for the Saints to tie it at one set apiece.

In the third set, the Saints went to Tua, who put down five kills to rally her team to the victory. She then added three more kills in the final set to finish the match.

In finishing with a match-high 14 kills, Tua led all players with a .355 attack percentage. Kristin Anderson added nine kills for the Saints, who got 32 assists from Cymbree Decosta and 20 digs from Theresia Dever.

PLU defensive specialist Lauren Poole had a remarkable game with 34 total digs, including 11 in the first set alone. Kelsey Pacolt, Karen Henjum and Harrison tied for the team lead with eight kills apiece and Anella Olbertz added seven more. Amber Roberts added 16 assists and 17 digs and Kristi Neubauer had 13 assists and 13 digs for the Lutes.

PLU returns to Northwest Conference action at 7 p.m. Friday when it hosts the Whitman Missionaries in Olson Auditorium.

- PLU -