PHOENIX, Ariz. - Extending its winning-streak to four matches, the Pacific volleyball team posted a 3-0 shutout 26-24, 25-16, 25-18 win over Butler on Friday in the first of three matches at Global Credit Union as part of the GCU Classic.
 
Showing out for the Tigers defense were senior middle blocker Abby Miller and junior middle blocker Emily Van Groningen. The pair racked up 5.0 blocks a piece, leading both teams, while, for Miller it was a new career high. As a unit, Pacific accumulated 11 blocks to Butler's six. Van Groningen now leads Pacific with 26.0 blocks on the season.
 
Van Gronigen proved a vital fixture for the Tiger offense as well, posting nine kills on 15 attacks and one error. She led the team with a .533 hitting percentage with fifteen or greater total attacks. The effort brought up her hitting percentage to .314, which ranks fourth in the West Coast Conference. 
 
Senior setter Jenna Heller tacked on 24 assists to her season total, bringing her up to 257 assists to pace the team. The senior grabbed 14 digs to lead both teams en route to her fifth double-double in assists and digs so far this year. She added two aces on the night as the Tigers racked up seven total aces through the match.
 
Graduate Alexa Edwards led both teams with 12 kills on the evening, bringing her season total to 121. Her 4.03 kills per set currently ranks second in the WCC. She also added two aces alongside Heller and fellow graduate outside hitter Darina Kumanova. Kumanova now leads the Tigers with 11 aces on the season.
 
The Tigers improved to 2-0 over Butler in the all-time series, capturing their first neutral site match win by leading the Bulldogs across the board. As a team, Pacific recorded 40 kills, 24 assists, and 47 digs to Butler's 26 kills, 25 assists and 37 digs.
 
The match opened in a tight contest, both teams nearly hitting the same towards Pacific's 26-24 opening set win. The Tigers carried a similar energy into the second set, taking full advantage of Bulldog errors, while shutting down the Butler offense, allowing only eight kills on 27 attacks for a .000 hitting percentage. The consistency from Pacific remained through the final set as the Tigers out hit the Bulldogs .259 to -.037 to end the match on a 4-0 run. 
 
The Tigers return tomorrow to face Portland State at 4:30 p.m. at the Global Credit Arena. Live stream and live stats are available.

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