SAN DIEGO - The Point Loma volleyball team started PacWest play with an impressive three-set sweep of Dixie State, 25-18, 25-12 and 25-20 on Saturday, Sept. 19.
 
The Sea Lions are now 5-0 at home this season and 6-3 overall (1-0 PacWest). Dixie State drops to 3-6 with the loss.
 
PLNU never trailed for a single point in the match as outhit Dixie State in each set and finished with a .259 hitting percentage. PLNU posted an incredible 19 kills with only three errors during the second set to record a .356 hitting percentage in its 25-12 set two win.   
 
"We sped up our offense this week," PLNU head coach Jonathan Scott explained. "Our plan was to get through those grueling first two tournaments and then speed up our offense heading into conference. I wasn't quite clean but it still led to quite a few points."
 
Heather Leavitt led PLNU with 16 kills and added 14 digs for the double-double. Cayleen Harty registered 10 kills and a .389 hitting percentage from her opposite side hitter position.  Savannah Wedemeyer added five kills and no errors to pace the team with a .417 hitting percentage and also chipped in with a match-best 40 assists. Christin Fisher paced the squad with 18 digs.
 
No member of the Dixie State squad reached double-figures in kills. Taylor Duryea led the team with seven kills and Kailey Frei had 24 assists as the Red Storm finished the match with a .116 hitting percentage.
 
"The first match can set a tone in a good or bad way," Scott explained. "We think we set a good tone but now our mentality is we are 0-0 going into the next match."
 
PLNU will be on the road next week for a pair of PacWest matches. Point Loma will face Concordia (CA) on Thursday, Sept. 24 and PacWest preseason favorites California Baptist on Saturday, Sept. 26. Both matches will start at 7:00 p.m.