Playing in its third five-set match of the year, LMU volleyball (15-3, 5-2 WCC) outlasted Pacific (6-11, 1-5 WCC) by scores of 25-20, 26-28, 25-20, 22-25, 15-10 on Saturday afternoon from Gersten Pavilion.

STICK TO THE PROCESS
One of the best serving teams in the nation, LMU finished the five sets with seven aces, but also served up 16 errors … Savannah Slattery had two of the seven aces, while Tess Reid, Bo Culo, Sara Kovac, Meredith Teague and Kekai Whitford each pitched in one.

FIGHTING TO THE FINISH
While it likely goes without saying in a five-set match, LMU fought to the finish throughout the Saturday affair … the Lions trailed 24-20 in the second set, but managed to claw back even at 24-24 to send that stanza into extra points … the Lions actually won a fifth straight point in that run to take a 25-24 advantage, but Pacific eventually won the set, 28-26 … it was a similar story in the fourth set, as LMU faced set-point at 24-18 before winning four straight points to cut the deficit to 24-22 – the closest it would come in the period.

BOX SCORE NOTES
Culo led LMU with 15 kills on 41 swings as LMU hit .283 as a team … Kovac added 14 kills, while Slattery had 11 to round out the trio of Lions with double-digit kills … Emma Johnson was the most efficient hitter on the attack, registering nine kills on 14 swings for a .571 clip … junior Tess Reid dished out 53 assists to accompany seven digs and two block assists … the Lions won the blocking battle, 8-5, behind four block assists from Johnson, and a block solo and three block assists from Teague … Riley Ramsey led all players with 18 kills for Pacific … two other Tiger players finished with double-digit kills, including Kaitlyn Lines (14) and Riley Patterson (13) … Pacific managed three service aces, but hit just .202 over the course of the five sets … the two teams combined for 31 service errors … they also played to 40 tie scores and 17 lead changes in what proved to be a tight five-set match.

Sara Kovac puts the finishing touches on the match as LMU wins it in five sets!#JoinThePride pic.twitter.com/MKldLdlLih

— LMU Volleyball (@lmulionsWVB) October 6, 2018

LION NOTES
LMU's 15-3 start to the year is the best since the 2014 squad began the season 16-2 … LMU has won four straight matches … the Lions are now 2-1 in five-set matches this year … LMU has had at least two players finish with double-digit kills in all but two matches this year.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS
LMU still has six home matches remaining to be played in Gersten Pavilion … members of LMU's Little Lions Club get into all LMU home volleyball matches as part of the membership, while students, faculty and staff with a valid One Card also receive free General Admission access to every home match … to purchase season or single-game tickets, please contact the LMU Box Office at 310-338-5466 or visit LMULions.com/buywvb.

QUOTABLE
 

It was a grind, but LMU outlasted Pacific in five sets. Hear what Head Coach Aaron Mansfield had to say following the victory! #JoinThePride pic.twitter.com/KVoWaZBkSh

— LMU Volleyball (@lmulionsWVB) October 6, 2018

NEXT ROTATION
LMU will play just one match next week, traveling to WCC and PCH Cup rival Pepperdine for a Noon P.T. match on Saturday … the match against the Waves can be watched on TheW. tv with live stats found at LMULions.com.