SAN DIEGO—In their first action of the season PLNU hosted the #4 ranked Seawolves of the University of Alaska Anchorage as part of the 2017 Seaside Invitational and fell in five sets.

The Sea Lions used a lineup heavy on young talent and found success early against the Seawolves. After taking a two set lead over the national runner-up, PLNU battled in a back-and-forth third set before UAA secured both the third and fourth sets. The decisive fifth set was also won by the Seawolves 15-10 and the Sea Lions fell to 0-1 on the season.
 
Team Records
PLNU (0-1), UAA (1-1)
 
Scott's Thoughts
"This game went almost exactly as expected. I think it will be foreshadowing to the season. When we are hot, we are as good as anybody but the inexperience will shine through and unfortunately in a sport that requires momentum it hit us in bad spots a few too many times."

"I am proud of the girls that we were able to battle with a program that has established itself as being premier. UAA did everything well today. That's the way that it goes sometimes, this required a team effort to secure a victory and we were just a little short."

"Our young lineup is probably our best right now, there is no way of knowing if it will stay this way. Hopefully having the quick turnaround between games will be what we need to get going in our next match."
 
Scoring Summary
Set 1: PLNU 25 UAA 17
Set 2: PLNU 25 UAA 20
Set 3: UAA 25 PLNU 22
Set 4: UAA 25 PLNU 16
Set 5: UAA 15 PLNU 10
 
News and Notes
> Cara Keturakis was a dig shy of a double-double, with 36 assists, 9 digs, and 6 kills.
> Freshman Holley Persson performed well in the libero position posting 29 digs in her first career match. 
> Youth was key for the Sea Lions, their key lineup featured mostly freshman, sophomores and one redshirt freshman.
> Three of the top four hitters for PLNU were freshmen.

Up Next
PLNU will host Simon Fraser in  the final Friday match of the Seaside Invitational at approximately 8:30pm.