EVANSTON, Ill. – The Pacific volleyball team split the first two matches of the 2022 season Friday afternoon, dropping the season opener to Northwestern before defeating Northeastern, 25-18, 25-19, 25-23, on the first day of competition at the Wildcat Classic.
 
In the season-opening loss to Northwestern (1-0), the Tigers (1-1) outplayed the Wildcats early in the first set, en route to a 15-9 lead midway through the set. The Wildcats, however, battled back and regained the lead, outscoring the Tigers 16-5 to close out the first set, 25-20.
 
The Wildcats took care of business in the following two sets, sweeping the Tigers 25-18 and 25-17 to secure the straight-set victory.
 
Despite the loss, the Tigers outpaced the Wildcats in multiple statistical categories with game-highs in kills (39), assists (36), and digs (38).
 
Pacific came alive in the afternoon's second match, defeating Northeastern (0-2) in the program's first-ever meeting against the Huskies. Alexa Edwards led the team in kills in both matches, recording 32 total kills, including tallying 16 in the win over the Huskies. The junior from Sacramento, Calif., recorded double-digit kills in a match for the 33rd time in her career, increasing her career total to 572.
 
Jenna Heller contributed to the winning effort against Northeastern, recording a double-double with 39 assists and 12 digs. Heller tallied 70 assists in two matches, the most she has ever recorded in a two-match span in her career.
 
"This is a great starting point for us on our journey, and we will continue to grow and get better each day," Head Coach Greg Gibbons stated after the contest. "I am proud of how hard we competed ... Every day creates an opportunity for us to compete and grow."
 
Pacific returns to action on Saturday, Aug. 27, as the Tigers compete on the final day of the Wildcat Classic, taking on UTEP at 10 a.m.