TACOMA, Washington – It wasn't nearly as easy as the final score may indicate, but the Puget Sound volleyball team began its Northwest Conference slate with a 3-1 (25-18, 27-25, 19-25, 25-22) win over Lewis & Clark in Memorial Fieldhouse Friday night.
 
Katherine Carley finished with a match-high 14 kills, and Katelyn Chekian added 11. Logan Winn and Sarah Blumenfeld tallied 18 and 17 assists, respectfully.
 
The Loggers (7-3, 1-0 NWC) appeared poised for a sweep when they won the first set, 25-18, but the Pioneers (2-5, 0-1 NWC) proved to be a formidable foe.
 
Lewis & Clark led by three points late in the second set, 21-18. However, consecutive kills by Winn and Carley brought the Loggers to within a point. The Pioneers briefly answered back to make it 22-20, but another kill by Winn sparked a 3-0 Logger run.
 
Lewis & Clark was on the brink of winning the second set when it held a 25-24 lead, but a kill by Chekian was the start to another 3-0 Logger run to put away the set.
 
Overall, Puget Sound attacked at a season-best .250 clip, and its nine blocks are the second-best total so far this season.
 
Puget Sound remains at home Saturday, Sept. 18, to host Linfield at 6 p.m.