WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team will be coming home on a high note after knocking off Whitman College 3-1 on Saturday night in Walla Walla. 
 
"I am incredibly proud of my girls," said PLU senior Angelica Hulett.  "We've had some tough competition the past couple of matches, so I know how great we fell about tonight's win.  Our team talked about making the most of the second half of our season, and I believe that we are all on board.  Tonight showed just how much passion we have for the game, the love we have for each other and the love we have for Lute volleyball.  This culture that we created is what has set this team apart from any I have played with before.  I am stoked for our last few weeks of competition."
 
The Lutes took control of the match from the outset with a 25-14 victory in the first set, but the Blues evened things up with a 25-16 second set win.  In hostile territory, PLU bounced back to win the next two sets by 25-22 and 25-21 scores, respectively.  The victory improved the Lutes' record to 13-9 on the season and 6-4 in the Northwest Conference.  
 
In the opening set, PLU grabbed an early 6-2 lead and increased that lead to 17-11.  The visitors continued to stretch their advantage, scoring five straight points late in the match to hold a 23-13 edge.  Baylee Johnson, Hailey Iha and Emily Dulaney all had kills during the late run.  
 
After dropping the second set and falling behind 21-17 in the third set, PLU scored six straight points and eight of the final nine to take the set.  Savanna Service started the run with a block and a kill to swig the momentum to the visiting bench.  The Lutes came from behind again in the fourth set, erasing a 12-9 deficit and finishing off the Bruins by a 25-21 score.  
 
Senior Danielle Skibiel led the way for PLU with 13 kills, while Mackenzie Pfeiffer and Johnson each had 10.  Dulaney handed out 32 assists, while Halle Hetzler and Skibiel both had over 10 digs.  The Lutes managed to hit .227 on the evening, while the Blues hit .200 as a squad.  
 
PLU will look to continue their winning ways next weekend when they return to Olson Gymnasium.  The Lutes will host George Fox University on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. before welcoming Linfield College on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.