COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. — Ethan Gaines had 14 kills for Walla Walla Men's Volleyball, but for the second straight day the Wolves lost in four sets to Pacific Union College in a non-conference game on Saturday.

Gaines is now up to 30 kills on the season and is the overall leader for the Wolves (0-2). The Pioneers improved to 3-2 on the season with the 19-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-19 victory.

JJ Lin-ao added eight kills for WWU and Frank Ribeiro had five kills and three aces. AJ Nacario had 29 of the 32 assists for the Wolves and Angel Armenta led the team with 12 digs. Walla Walla had 34 kills as a team, five aces and six blocks. 

The Wolves trailed by one (12-11) halfway through the opening set after they lost four consecutive points. Zion Slade started the march for the home team with a kill and WWU won nine of the next 11 points and led 20-14 before PUC called a timeout. The Pioneers mounted a late rally, but the Wolves marked off three straight points off errors and wrapped up the opening set 25-19.

Just like on Friday, Pacific Union College was able to bounce back and take control in each of the following three sets for the victory.

TJ Letuligasenoa led the Pioneers with 17 kills and added two blocks. JV Cruzado had 29 assists and Jacob Lopez added 14 digs.

UP NEXT

The Wolves will host PUC two more times on Sunday starting at 11 a.m. at Windemuth Court.

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