TACOMA, Wash. - The 14th-ranked Pacific Lutheran University women's volleyball team heads back on the road, playing Pacific University on Friday and Linfield College on Saturday down in Oregon.
 
Last weekend the Lutes (14-2, 7-1 Northwest Conference) tallied impressive performances, defeating George Fox University (3-1) and Lewis & Clark College (3-0) in Olson Gymnasium. The Lutes are looking to continue their form on the road in Oregon this weekend, with a specific goal in mind.
 
"As we go into our games this weekend, we are focusing on playing Lute Volleyball, which means playing for each other and keeping our focus on each point rather than on conference as a whole," senior Jordan Sherfey said. "We hope to start the matches strong by establishing our middles early and limiting the errors on our side."
 
Sherfey is in her senior year at PLU and is really enjoying her time with the team on and off the court.

"My favorite part about being a member of Lute Volleyball is the relationships that are built between teammates.  I have made lifelong friends through this program, and I extremely value how we grow together in all areas of life, supporting each other physically, mentally, and spiritually."
 
She also has a strong understanding of the game and how she contributes to the success of the team.

"My contributions to the team involve working hard to provide strong competition in practice to better prepare for our games, as well as supporting my teammates both on and off the court."
 
Sherfey is also working very hard off the court, as she is receiving her degree in biology, with plans of going to graduate school to become a physician assistant (PA).

"My interest in biology and in the medical field started after going on a medical mission trip to Mexico when I was younger.  Since then, I've had the desire to serve others in the medical field, and I have enjoyed studying anatomy in my classes."
 
Outside of academics and volleyball, Sherfey enjoys staying active and having fun.

"Since we live in the PNW, I love going hiking and kayaking. I recently learned how to scuba dive, and I'm excited to get more involved in it when I find some free time."
 
With a clear set of goals for her senior year, she is also looking forward to finishing the season strong and making a push for the Lutes to repeat as NWC Champion and make a return to the NCAA Division III Tournament. 
 
The team will take the court on the road this weekend against Pacific University on Friday at 7 p.m. in Forest Grove, and Linfield College on Saturday at 5 p.m. in McMinnville.

Oct. 12: PLU vs. Pacific in Forest Grove, Oregon (7 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and Boxers have met 81 times on the court with PLU holding a 57-24 edge in the all-time series. It's been all Lutes lately; with PLU winning 44 of the last 47 meetings, a stretch of dominance going all the way back to Head Coach Kevin Aoki's first season in 1996. The two squads last met in the NWC opener on Sept. 14 with the host Lutes earning the 3-2 victory. 

About the Boxers: Pacific (12-6, 6-3 NWC) heads into Friday's tilt having won four of its last five games. The Boxers' lone blemish during that stretch was a 3-0 defeat on the road to the University of Puget Sound last Saturday. Pacific rebounded from the loss on Wednesday with a 3-1 win over George Fox.

Pacific's Haley Walz leads the NWC in digs with 341 on the season while Milana Ivkovic paces the conference in hitting percentage with an efficiency of .355. Karlee Duncan leads the Boxers in kills, ranking second in the league with 195 on the year. 

Oct. 13: PLU vs. Linfield in McMinnville, Oregon (5 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and Wildcats have met 90 times since 1980 with PLU enjoying a 50-40 advantage in the all-time series. The Lutes won both encounters last season, prevailing by identical 3-1 scorelines while winning the first meeting this season 3-0 back on Sept. 15 inside Olson Gymnasium.

About the Wildcats: Linfield (6-10, 1-7 NWC) dropped its first seven matches of the conference slate before earning a 3-1 win over Whitman College last Saturday. 

Taylor Souza anchors the Wildcat defensive efforts, ranking third in the NWC in digs per set (4.78) while Mattie Kelly ranks fourth in the league in assists with 6.31 per set. Regan Dean is Linfield's top offensive threat with 113 kills on the year.