TACOMA, Wash. - The 17th-ranked Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team got the most from its senior class on Saturday night, forcing a tie atop the Northwest Conference standings with a 3-1 victory over Whitworth University in the home finale at Olson Gymnasium.

The victory puts the Lutes (19-3, 12-2 NWC) and Pirates (18-7, 12-2 NWC) in a tie atop the standings with two regular season matches to go. The match also wrapped up another perfect season at home for the Lutes who wrapped up the 2018 slate inside Olson Gymnasium a perfect 8-0.

"You couldn't have written a better script for Senior Night," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. "The night belonged to the seniors because they have put so much into our program. Our team played with so much passion against a very good Whitworth team."

The opening set was tied at 12 before the visiting Pirates collected the next three points. Whitworth would play with a lead the remainder of the set, opening up an 18-13 advantage on its way to the 25-20 opening set win.

The tables turned in the second set with the Lutes making a 7-1 run to build an 18-10 cushion. Whitworth whittled the gap to just three at 18-15 but was unable to come any closer as PLU netted the 25-20 win to level the match. The Lutes pulled away late in the third for the 25-18 win before wrapping up the match and forcing a tie atop the conference standings with a 25-16 win in the fourth set.

PLU held a fragile 16-13 lead in the fourth set before collecting the next five points to mushroom its lead to 21-13. Senior Jordan Sherfey had the fitting end to the night, collecting the match sealing kill in the fourth for the 25-16 set win.

Danielle Skibiel and Chloe Epker each finished with 11 kills with Epker also adding 14 digs. Mackenzie Harris and Lauren Wilson tallied 10 and nine kills, respectively, with Harris netting a team-high nine blocks on the night. Emily Dulaney and Isabella Zubrod each finished with 21 assists with Dulaney also accumulating 15 digs. Caylie Shiramizu tallied a team-best 23 digs.

Tonight's match was Senior Night with the Lutes' honoring their five seniors: Chloe Epker, Caylie Shiramizu, Isabella Zubrod, Jordan Sherfey, and Mackenzie Harris. The 2018 seniors have posted an impressive 71-26 record on the court including a 49-13 record in league play, including winning the 2017 NWC title. The senior class has continued the tradition of winning inside Olson Gymnasium, boasting a 28-6 record in home contests over the past four seasons.

PLU is back in action on Friday night, facing George Fox University at 7 p.m. in Newberg, Oregon.