CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – In the first meeting between both programs, No. 9 MIT defeated Pacific Lutheran University, 25-21, 26-24, 25-14, in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship on Thursday night. Daphne Gavros amassed 22 digs, seven assists, and six aces for the Engineers while Alexis Eggert generated 11 kills, a .455 hitting percentage, and four blocks for the Lutes.

MIT won the first four points of set one, but PLU battled back as two Eggert kills and a block by Eggert and Ayre Takamoto brought it within 7-6. A kill by Ella Zhou and a hitting error gave the Engineers some breathing room before four unanswered points created a 16-10 lead. MIT maintained its small cushion as another Zhou kill resulted in set point at 24-19. A pair of errors extended the frame for the Lutes, but Zhou's kill secured the win.

Five straight points that featured a Julissa Pernsteiner kill and blocks by Clare Freberg and Pernsteiner gave PLU an 11-6 lead in set two. The Engineers countered with a kill by Zhou that sparked a 7-2 run. Six ties and three lead changes ensued until a kill by Claire Underwood and a hitting error gave MIT a 22-21 edge. Both teams went on to trade points as a kill from Ali Gibbs gave the hosts a set point at 24-23. Eggert's kill tied the score; however, back-to-back kills by Gibbs captured the victory.

The Lutes jumped out to a 7-3 lead in set three after a kill by Shaela Allen-Gregg. The Engineers battled back as a kill by Underwood sparked an 11-1 run that established a 16-11 advantage. Following a brief exchange of points, a PLU serving error kicked off an 8-1 match-ending run that resulted in the 25-14 final.

Zhou led all players with 15 kills and added eight digs while Eileen Sadati produced 14 kills and a .394 hitting percentage. Gibbs finished with nine kills as Kayleigh May posted 35 assists.

Sophia Song bolstered the defense with nine digs. Allen-Griggs registered 10 kills while Takamoto notched 30 assists and 10 digs.

MIT will host Franklin & Marshall College in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, November 21 at 7:00 PM.

This is the second meeting between the two programs, and the first since 2001, which saw the Engineers outlast the Diplomats in five sets at the Franklin & Marshall Tournament.

About the NEWMAC

The NEWMAC is an association of 12 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 20 sports.