TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team returns to Oregon for the second consecutive week with matches against Northwest Conference rivals Lewis & Clark College and Pacific University.

The Lutes (10-6, 3-1 NWC) dominated the court last weekend, beating George Fox University 3-1 and Linfield College 3-0. Lute defensive specialist Emma Peters hit 20 digs the match against the Bruins, leading the team to a win.
 
A business administration major with a concentration in accounting, Peters has competed in Lute volleyball all four years of her education while also competing in track & field in the spring. Adding athletics to academics enabled her to hone her time management skills, which allows her to prioritize her success as a college student and in the future. 
 
As a current senior, Peters has experienced four seasons of competition. With the multitude of shifting players on and off the team, each year is a bit different when it comes to team dynamics. This season, Peters believes the pre-season focus on bonding off the court helped the team be more in touch with each other's playing style during games. 
 
Graduating in the spring, Peters is leaving her options open and considering getting her CPA license or an MBA. However, Peters knows one thing for sure: she plans to cherish her last season as a Lute. 
 
"I feel like this season is special just because it is my last one," Peters said. "I want to make the most of every game, practice, bus ride, and experience with my teammates because I won't ever get this time back."
 
Peters and the Lutes are heading back down to Oregon this weekend and look to continue their current three-match win streak.
 
Oct. 4: PLU vs. Lewis & Clark in Portland, Oregon (7 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Pios have met 88 times on the court since 1980 with PLU holding a 57-31 lead in the all-time series, including winning the last seven straight. 
 
About the Pioneers: Lewis & Clark (7-6, 3-2 NWC) heads into the weekend having won four of its last six matches. The Pios earned a split last weekend, falling 3-0 Pacific and downing Linfield 3-1. L&C was back on the court on Wednesday, cruising to a 3-0 win over George Fox. 
 
Kendall Malone leads the team with 3.72 kills per set while Michelle McGinn is the primary setter averaging 8.39 assists per set. 
 
Oct. 5: PLU vs. Pacific in Forest Grove, Oregon (6 p.m.)
 
Series History: The all-time series is tilted 57-25 in favor of the Lutes since the 1980 season. Last year the team's split the season series, each winning on their home floor. 
 
About the Boxers: Pacific (10-4, 3-1 NWC) has won seven of its last eight games with the lone blemish a 3-1 road setback to Whitworth University last Friday. The Boxers' wins have included 3-0 sweeps of conference foes George Fox, Lewis & Clark, and Whitman College.
 
Jordan Zweifel leads the team in kills, averaging 2.90 per set while Makenna Mahuna powers the offense with 9.82 assists per set. Defensively, Haley Walz boasts 4.71 digs per set.