McMINNVILLE, Ore. - There were three unbeaten Northwest Conference volleyball teams entering this week's round of matches, and now there is only one after Pacific Lutheran routed Linfield in three sets on Friday night.

PLU, ranked No. 19 in Division III volleyball, won its fourth consecutive conference contest this year and its 17th in a row dating back to last season with a 25-17, 25-16, 25-21 victory over the host Wildcats. Coupled with Wednesday night's three-set sweep of host and previously unbeaten Puget Sound, the Lutes are now not only unbeaten in the conference, they have yet to lose a set. PLU improved its overall record to 8-5 while Linfield fell to 5-5 overall and 2-1 in the conference.

Jumping out a 5-1 lead, PLU rolled past Linfield in the first set. The Wildcats were unable to trim the margin to less than three points. The Lutes drilled home 14 kills, converting on .300 of their chances. The Wildcats responded quickly, opening up the second set with a 7-4 lead but that quickly melted away by 13 errors during the game. PLU responded with a 6-0 run and ran away with the win. In the third set, it was all PLU as the Lutes led the entire way. After falling behind 20-11, Linfield rallied back to cut the Lutes' lead to one at 22-21, but three costly service errors sealed the PLU victory.

Beth Hanna, the Lutes' two-time All-America outside hitter, led all players with 11 kills and 14 digs, and both Kelcy Joynt and Kelsie Moore finished the match with eight kills. Joynt hit .500 in the match and the Lutes finished with a .223 team attack percentage, including .300 and .360 marks in the first two sets. Defensively, Moore contributed 13 digs and Erin Bremond had two solo blocks and two blocks assists as the Lutes finished with eight team blocks.

PLU next plays its alumni in an exhibition match scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Saturday in Olson Auditorium.

- PLU -