TACOMA, WA (September 2, 2016) – The Vassar College women's volleyball team started its 2016 season in the Puget Sound Premiere Friday afternoon, falling in a pair of matches to host University of  Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University in action from Alumni Gymnasium in Tacoma, WA.

The Brewers (0-2) fell to the host Loggers in three games with scores of 25-14, 25-21 and 25-13, finishing the day with a 25-9, 25-23 and 27-25 loss to the Lutes of Pacific Lutheran. The action at the Puget Sound Premiere is some of the best in the nation this weekend, with multiple ranked teams playing in the Pacific Northwest.

Puget Sound 3, Vassar 0
The Brewers struggled to hit in the opening match of the season, connecting on a .026 hitting percentage while allowing the Loggers to hit .279 for the match. The difficulty in hitting is understandable, especially considering the squad was playing at 11 a.m. PDT after landing in Seattle late Thursday evening.

The first set was close through the early going, as Vassar led 9-8 after forcing Hannah Stinson into a hitting error. That's when the first game spun, as Puget Sound chalked up nine of the next 10 points to earn an early match advantage.

It was more of the same in the second game, as Vassar led 18-14 after an ace by freshman libero Jorden Schreeder. Senior Gabby Miller made the score 20-15 on a kill, but the Loggers went on a 7-0 run to take a 22-20 edge. After junior Alex Sams made it 22-21 on a kill, UPS notched the next three points to double its match lead.

In the final set, Vassar led once again during the early part of the game, staying ahead until 11-10 after a kill from sophomore standout Devan Gallagher. The Loggers once again went on a 7-0 run to take a six-point edge at 17-11, pulling away for the match victory.

Gallagher led the Brewers with seven kills, while also adding nine digs, while Miller chalked up six kills. Freshman Jane McLeod finished with five terminations in her first collegiate match, chalking up 10 digs as well. Sophomore setter Annie MacMillan dished out a team-best 22 assists, just missing a double-double with nine digs and two aces. Senior libero Sierra Tobin posted 10 digs as well for Vassar.

Pacific Lutheran 3, Vassar 0
Despite a disastrous first set, the Vassar women battled one of the best teams in the West region, forcing extra points in the third game. After falling behind 1-0, VC came back and was right in the match, leading the second set 23-20 after a kill from Gallagher. The Lutes would tally five straight points though, earning the set on a service ace by Kiana Calles.

In the third game, Pacific Lutheran scored nine of the first 12 points, but Vassar rallied trim the score to 24-19. Down to its last point, Vassar fended off five match points, taking a 25-24 lead after a Lutes attacking error. PLU would regroup though, tallying the last three points of the match to take a 27-25 set victory and along with it the match.

Gallagher chalked up her first double-digit kill total of 2016, finishing with a match-best 14 terminations while hitting .323 (14-4-31). McLeod added nine kills and six digs, and Sams added six finishes. MacMillan posted 33 assists and six digs, and Miller chalked up five kills and five digs.

Vassar actually finished with more kills thank Pacific Lutheran, but nine service aces and 22 hitting mistakes doomed the Brewers.

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The road for the Brewers doesn't get any easier, taking on No. 16 Southwestern University and No. 8 Carthage College in the second day of action at the Puget Sound Premiere.