TACOMA, Wash. - The 16th-ranked Pacific Lutheran University women's volleyball team goes back on the road down to Oregon, as they face-off against George Fox University on Friday, and Lewis & Clark College on Saturday.
 
Last weekend the Lutes (19-3, 12-2 NWC) were victorious against Whitman College (3-0) on Friday, before picking up an impressive win on senior night against a Whitworth University team (3-1) on Saturday, in Olson Gymnasium. The wins coupled with a Whitman win over Whitworth last night puts the Lutes in the driver's seat to repeat as NWC Champions. 
 
The victory against Whitworth on senior night meant a lot to the seniors, as well as for the underclassmen giving their all for the team and the seniors.
 
"It was an exciting match!" said first-year Emily Dulaney. "The seniors leading the team to a win against Whitworth after losing to them earlier on in the season was the perfect ending to senior night!"
 
As the Lutes head into the final weekend of conference play, they have a specific mentality that has been evident throughout the season. 
 
"Our team motto throughout the season was "all out, all in", and we are going to carry the same "team first" attitude and effort down to Oregon to hopefully bring home two more wins."
 
As a first-year, Dulaney is adjusting to life in college, balancing a busy school schedule as well as volleyball. 
 
"I love my first semester so far! I was super nervous coming in as a first-year, but all the coaches and volleyball women have quickly become my family away from home. Being from Hawaii, the whole 'going away' experience is so exciting and I'm so ready for the cold weather to begin!"
 
Dulaney is planning on pursuing a degree in nursing, with a goal of working with children in the future. 
 
"I had the same nurse since I was a baby and growing up watching the way she worked with children really inspired me to be like her."
 
Outside of school and volleyball, Dulaney has a few hobbies that she enjoys as well as a newfound way to spend her time. 
 
"I really enjoy relaxing and reading, but now I spend a lot of my free time trying to make a decent cup of coffee because it's getting harder to stay awake in my 8 a.m. class."
 
With the season quickly winding down, Dulaney has really enjoyed her first year as a Lute volleyball player and is looking forward to the years to come. 
 
"My favorite part about the team is definitely my teammates! They are so much fun to be around, and they are what make going practice everyday something I really look forward to."
 
The team will take the court down in Oregon this weekend against George Fox University on Friday at 7 p.m. in Newberg, Oregon, and against Lewis & Clark College on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Portland, Oregon. 
 
Nov. 2: PLU vs. George Fox in Newberg, Oregon (7 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes have dominated the all-time series, enjoying a 42-25 record against the Bruins, including winning 20 straight. PLU downed the Bruins 3-1 in the first meeting this season back on Oct. 5 inside Olson Gymnasium.
 
About the Bruins: George Fox (10-12, 4-10 NWC) was perfect last weekend, defeating Linfield College and Lewis & Clark by identical 3-0 scorelines. The recent run comes on the heels of a rough patch that saw GFU drop six of seven.
 
Danyle Dupray leads the team in kills, averaging 2.7 per set along with a team-best 31 aces while Laney Search is the team's leader in assists with 451 on the year. Sophia Lawrence is GFU's leader in digs, accumulating 407 on the year. 
 
Nov. 3: PLU vs. Lewis & Clark in Portland, Oregon (5 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Pios have met 87 times with PLU holding a 56-31 edge in the all-time series, including winning the last six encounters. The Lutes breezed past the Pios 3-0 in their last encounter back on Oct. 6.
 
About the Pioneers: Lewis & Clark (12-9, 5-9 NWC) ripped off three straight wins, taking down the University of Puget Sound (3-2), Linfield (3-0), and Willamette University (3-1) in consecutive matches before falling 3-0 to George Fox last Saturday.
 
Kortney Meyer powers the offense with 259 kills on the season and 50 blocks while Michelle McGinn and Mikayla Lopez set up the offense, averaging 4.5 and 4.1 assists per set, respectively. Defensively, Annika San Nicolas has a team-best 279 digs.