COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. — The Walla Walla Men's Volleyball team took the court as a member of the NAIA for the first time in program history and earned a first set victory, but lost to Pacific Union College in a non-conference contest on Friday.

The Wolves (0-1) lost in set scores of 23-25, 25-17, 25-17 and 25-19 to PUC who improved to 2-2 on the season.

Ethan Gaines led WWU with 16 kills. Jonathan Vasquez Tobar had 16 assists and Ryen Cacal had 13 digs.

Walla Walla stepped out of the club level to join the Cal-Pac Conference in the 2026 season and will participate in its first conference games next month. The Wolves looked strong in the first set and set the tone inside Windemuth Court, but the Pioneers were able to find their rhythm in the final three sets.

WWU had a strong .353 attack percentage in the first set that saw both teams trade the lead until both teams had reached 17 points. Walla Walla got rolling and won eight of the next 10 points and led 22-18. The Pioneers did not go away quietly and survived two set points before Cacal put a spike away for the 25-23 set win.

Tristen Miller had 18 kills for PUC and guided them to the comeback victory. Bryce Teachout had 10 total blocks, Ethan Durns and JV Cruzado had 16 assists each and Jacob Lopez finished with 15 digs for the Pioneers.

UP NEXT

The Wolves will host PUC three times over the next two days. Walla Walla will play at 7 p.m. on Saturday and then twice on Sunday starting at 11 a.m. at Windemuth Court.

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