By Maddy Bernard, PLU Sports Information Student Writer

PARKLAND – The Pacific Lutheran volleyball team fell to Whitworth Friday night in three sets during the first match of the 2015 Northwest Conference season.

While Whitworth defeated PLU in only three sets, with scores of 28-26, 25-17 and 25-19, Names Family Court was packed with Lute fans for the competitive and match between the 2014 conference co-champions. PLU fell to 6-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while Whitworth improved to 7-3 overall and 1-0 in the NWC.

The first set saw five tie scores and two lead changes. While the Lutes had the lead for the majority of the set, Whitworth held PLU at set point while the Pirates came back four points to tie it up 24-24. With an attack error from PLU and a block from Whitworth's Lauren Budde and Brenna Bruil, the Pirates closed the first set with six straight points as part of a 10-1 run.

"We played well in the first set until the end," Aoki said. "And then we lost the momentum that we really couldn't get back. We have to regroup for tomorrow."

PLU started the second set strong, leading 4-0 following a block by Michaela Edgers and Roshel Muzzall. But the Pirates tied it up at 5-5 and slowly began to pull away. The two teams battled back and forth with four tie scores and three lead changes throughout the set. For the second straight set a late run helped the Pirates pull out the set win, as Whitworth scored the final four points and six of the last seven.

PLU fought for each point at the start of the third set, staying with Whitworth until the ninth point. The Pirates pulled up by four points, and another four-point Whitworth run a few minutes later gave the Pirates a comfortable lead for the rest of the set. Another five tie scores and four lead changes did not help the Lutes as Whitworth earned the win.

Chloe Epker racked up a match-high 12 kills, with Lucy Capron right behind with 11. Kendle Valade-Nunez tallied 27 assists, and Kylai Cooley had 10 digs. For Whitworth, Cassandra Mendoza and Nicole Leonard picked up 11 kills each, while Maddye Dinsmore totaled 29 assists.

The Lutes return to the court Saturday, hosting Whitman at 5 p.m.