TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team takes the court one final time this season on Friday, making its third trip to Oregon to face Northwest Conference rival Willamette University.
 
The Lutes (17-10, 10-5 NWC) have been on fire as of late, currently sitting tied for second in the league standings while winning the last four matches, including a 3-0 sweep of University of Puget Sound last night. McKenzie Pfeiffer was a big part of Wednesday's win, finishing with a team-high 11 kills on just 27 attacks, boasting a .370 attack percentage while Emily Dulaney added 29 assists and Halle Hetzler had 13 digs.  
 
Pacific Lutheran sits atop the NWC in blocks per set, averaging 1.93 while leading the league in total kills (1,249). Individually, Hetzler leads the league in digs (517) while Danielle Skibiel sits second in the conference in kills (335) while Dulaney is second in the circuit in assists per set (9.37). Savanna Service ranks third in blocks per set (0.98) and hitting percentage (.270) while Pfeiffer sits fourth in total kills (278). 
 
The Lutes head into Friday's tilt looking to sweep the season series against the Bearcats. The teams last met on Oct. 11 inside Olson Gymnasium with Willamette surging to an early 2-0 lead before the Lutes won the last three sets to steal the win.
 
Senior Salute: Friday's match closes the career of seniors Megan Finley, Danielle Skibiel, Angelica Hulett, and Emma Peters. The 2019 senior class has posted an impressive 72-30 record on the court, including a 49-14 record in conference play. The foursome finished their career inside Olson Gymnasium with a 25-7 record and won two NWC titles. 
 
Nov. 8: PLU vs. Willamette in Salem, Oregon (7 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Bearcats have battled 85 times since the 1980 season with PLU holding a 53-32 advantage in the all-time series, including winning eight straight.
 
About the Bearcats: Willamette (7-16, 6-8 NWC) snapped a three-match slide last Saturday, earning a three-set sweep of Whitman College on the road in Walla Walla, Washington. The win came off the heels of setbacks at the hands of Puget Sound (3-1), George Fox University (3-0), and Whitworth University (3-0).
 
Natalie Klotz leads the team in kills, averaging 3.20 per set while Jennifer Lane adds 2.93/set. Emma Oirter is the primary setter, averaging 9.27 assists per set while defensively, Shyla Sato anchors the Bearcats, averaging 4.98 digs per set.