Contact: Mark Albanese, Director of Sports Communication

WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Chloe Epker led the way with 13 kills as the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team opened its tour of eastern Washington with a 3-1 (25-19, 17-25, 25-18, 25-13) victory over Whitman College in a Northwest Conference showdown on Friday inside the Sherwood Athletic Center.

The Lutes (6-7, 4-1 NWC) wasted little time asserting their dominance, collecting eight of the first nine points of the match. PLU continued to put its foot on the gas in the opening set, earning the 25-19 win. Host Whitman (6-7, 3-2 NWC) led wire-to-wire in the second set, leveling the match with a 25-17 victory. Whitman seized the lead again in the third, enjoying a slim 14-13 edge before the visiting Lutes tallied 11 of the next 15, including consecutive kills from Gabrielle Alley and a service ace from Kiana Calles to claim the 25-18 win. PLU blew open the fourth set with an 8-2 run midway through the set, cruising to the 25-13 decision to ice the match.

"We really played well tonight," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. "We served the ball tougher and started to pass better which enables us to spread the ball around."

Epker was dialed in for the Lutes, netting 13 kills along with seven digs, two blocks, and two service aces. Alley finished one kill shy of a double-double with nine kills and 10 digs while Calles led the team in assists with 22 while Madi Collier chipped in 18. Caylie Shiramizu had a team-high 24 digs while Danielle Skibiel was a menace in the front row with seven blocks while Isabella Zubrod added five.

"We're looking forward to our match at Whitworth tomorrow."