TACOMA, Washington – The Puget Sound volleyball team faced a 2-1 deficit to its crosstown rival Pacific Lutheran, but the Loggers rallied back to force a fifth set. However, the Lutes won the decisive set, 15-8, en route to topping Puget Sound, 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-8), at Memorial Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.

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Both Shawna Smith and Moira McVicar recorded double-doubles for the Loggers (6-10, 5-2 NWC). Smith finished with 11 kills and 16 digs, while McVicar totaled 42 assists and 14 digs. Katie Rice and Nicolette Reynaud posted 11 kills apiece.

The Loggers continued to play well at the net as they managed 17 total blocks. The Lutes (13-3, 6-1 NWC) finished with just eight.

Puget Sound held a 3-1 lead early in the first set, but the Lutes scored six-straight points and never relinquished their lead. The Loggers bounced back in the second set as a kill by Rice broke a 20-20 tie. An error by PLU, a kill from Smith and a service ace by Rachael Garrison helped the Loggers seal the second set down the stretch, 25-22.

The Lutes answered right back in the third set as they took a commanding 7-0 lead, but the Loggers battled back to cut the deficit to 13-8. Still, Pacific Lutheran held on for a 25-15 win to take a 2-1 lead.

With their backs already against the wall, the Loggers found themselves in further trouble when they trailed 12-9 in the fourth set. However, a kill by Reilly Fitzpatrick sparked a 5-0 run as the Loggers took a 14-12 lead. Although PLU evened the score at 18-18, the Loggers never allowed the Lutes to claim the lead as Puget Sound won the fourth set, 25-23.

The Lutes opened the fifth and final set with a 4-0 run, and they pushed their lead to as many as seven points (12-5) in their 15-8 win in the fifth set.

Puget Sound returns to action during homecoming weekend when it hosts Linfield on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m.