TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team needed just three sets to retire its crosstown nemesis on Wednesday night, closing out the home slate inside Olson Gymnasium by topping Northwest Conference rival University of Puget Sound 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-18). 

"What an awesome match to send our seniors off," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. "Despite not running for the championship, our team has continued to improve this year and we look forward to closing the season with another strong match against Willamette on Friday."

The visiting Loggers (14-13, 9-6 NWC) tallied the matches opening two points but the host Lutes (17-10, 10-5 NWC) would respond with nine of the next 11. PLU would keep Puget Sound at arms length the rest of the way with an Angelica Hulett kill giving the Lutes the 25-16 set one victory. The Lutes never trailed in the second set, using a 5-0 run midway through the set to pull away while a block by seniors Hulett and Megan Finley gave the home side the 25-17 set win. Pacific Lutheran led wire-to-wire in the third set, building an early 11-3 lead and never looking back to secure the 25-18 win to wrap up the match.

McKenzie Pfeiffer was dialed in, leading the Lutes with 11 kills on 27 total attacks, finishing with a .370 attack percentage. Danielle Skibiel tallied nine kills, 10 digs, and five blocks in her final home match while Emily Dulaney was the engine behind the offensive attack with 29 assists. Halle Hetzler netted a team-high 13 digs while Emma Peters added 10.

"Before the match we talked about being aggressive every single point and playing fearless because its our last home game," said Pfeiffer. "Our defense was doing a really good job of having perfect passers which led to Emily being able to set amazing balls, so kudos to my team for making me a better player."

Wednesday was the final home match for seniors Megan Finley, Danielle Skibiel, Angelica Hulett, and Emma Peters who helped the Lutes go 72-30 over the past four seasons, including an impressive 25-7 record inside Olson Gymnasium. 

The Lutes close out their season on Friday, facing Willamette University at 7 p.m. in Salem, Oregon.