WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team extended its stay atop the Northwest Conference standings on Friday night, collecting its sixth consecutive victory and third straight three-set sweep after disposing of host Whitman College 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-9) inside the Sherwood Center.
 
The Lutes (8-6, 5-0 NWC) came out of the gate swinging, boasting a .353 attack percentage and committing just two errors to take the opening set 25-15. PLU scored six of the opening seven points and put things out of reach with a 6-0 run midway through the set.
 
Back-to-back kills from Callie Simmonds wrapped up the second set 25-21 in favor of the Lutes before racing out to a 15-2 lead in the third. PLU kept its foot on the gas, scoring the final four points including a match-ending kill from Baylee Johnson in the 25-9 set win that featured 15 Lute kills and PLU owning a .300 attack percentage. 

"Our team played really well tonight," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. "The eastern Washington trip is always a challenge and we're looking forward to our tough match against Whitworth tomorrow night."
 
Pacific Lutheran has now won 11 straight matches against the Blues (4-10, 2-3 NWC), a streak stretching back to 2017.
 
Three Lutes registered double-digit kills with McKenzie Pfeiffer leading the way with a match-high 11. Baylee Johnson and Callie Simmonds each had 10. Emily Dulaney had 27 assists with Halle Hetzler collecting a match-high 17 digs.
 
Pacific Lutheran is back on the court tomorrow evening, facing Whitworth University at 6 p.m. in Spokane.