WALLA WALLA - Whitman rallied from one set down to defeat Pacific Lutheran, 14-25, 25-23, 25-13, 25-12, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match played Saturday night in Sherwood Center.

With six league matches remaining, the Lutes fall to 13-6 overall and 7-3 in the conference and are in danger of seeing a run of four consecutive NWC titles come to an end. PLU started the conference campaign with six straight wins but has lost three of its last four.

Whitman, which had lost three times to Lutes earlier this season, got stronger on offense as the match progressed. After hitting .121 in the first set, the Missionaries got progressively better - .179 in the second, .238 in the third and .381 in the fourth. The Lutes, meanwhile, dropped off after a .290 attack rate in the opening set. They hit .135 in the second, -.172 in the third and .000 in the fourth.

Carrie Cecil collected a match-best 14 kills and Jillian Davis added 10 for the Missionaries, who finished with a .211 team hitting percentage. Rachel Cline dished out 34 assists, Courtney Brewer had five service aces, and Becca Gotz contributed 16 digs to the victory.

Whitman was particularly on defense with 12 team blocks and a total of 54 digs.

Kelsie Moore led PLU with 11 kills and three service aces, while Sarah Beaver added 31 assists and Blair Bjorkman 18 digs.

PLU has a major factor in its favor as it looks to stay in the conference race - the Lutes play their next five NWC matches at home, starting with matches next Friday against Lewis & Clark and next Saturday versus Pacific.

- PLU -