Game One: St. Thomas (TX) vs. Pacific Lutheran
UST Volleyball dropped their opening game in the Puget Sound Premiere Volleyball Tournament to Pacific Lutheran, 3-0.
Slow starts plagued the Celts as they found themselves trailing early in each of the three sets. St. Thomas would show persistence, as they battled back to pressure Pacific Lutheran; but large runs made by the Lutes would be enough for them to pull away with the victory.
Sophomore Trinity Atkins would lead the Celts in kills with five while hitting .200. Defensively, Paige Havel led the way, recording two solo blocks with block assists.
Game Two: St. Thomas (TX) vs. Puget Sound
To end day one of the Puget Sound Premiere Tournament, UST Volleyball battled the hosting Loggers of Puget Sound. The Celts would edge the Loggers in four sets behind Alyssa Ajlouny's 12 kills, 9 digs and 5 block assists.
The Celts would jump out to a quick 2 set (25-20, 25-18) lead while leaning on their defense. St. Thomas would string together a 5-2 run late in set one to pull away with the victory. The second set was all UST as they smothered Puget Sound from the opening serve. However, with their backs against the wall, the Loggers opened up set three with nine consecutive points. The Celts would battle back but the already established lead derived from Puget Sound's hot start would hold, pushing the match to a fourth set. St. Thomas would yet again find themselves behind early in this set. Determined to grab their first victory of the season, they battled back and after an 8-2 run, would even things a 16 a piece. The Celts and the Loggers would trade blows back-and-forth, but UST was too much in the end and would pull away with the 26-24 win.
To follow Ajlouny's performance, sophomore middle blocker, Laynee Beam tallied six kills while hitting .500 and picked up one solo block and seven block assists. The Celts doubled up the Loggers in block total, while holding their hitting percentage to only .90.
Volleyball will conclude their trip to Tacoma tomorrow with a match against Whitman College.
