SPOKANE, Wash. - In a battle of Northwest Conference unbeatens it was host Whitworth University that seized the upper hand on Saturday evening, halting the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team's six-match win streak with a 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-20) victory inside WU Fieldhouse.

The host Pirates (11-2, 6-0 NWC) scored the opening four points and led wire-to-wire in the first set, collecting the 25-12 win. Consecutive kills from McKenzie Pfeiffer tied the second set at 14 but host Whitworth scored the next 10 straight and 11 of the final 12 to earn the 25-15 win.

The Lutes led 2-0 early in the third before the Pirates rattled off 10 of the next 11. PLU (8-7, 5-1 NWC) would whittle the gap to just three on two occasions, including 23-20 but a kill and an attack error gave the Pirates the 25-20 set win to secure the match and first place in the NWC standings.

Pfeiffer finsihed with 10 kills to pace the Lutes with Baylee Johnson adding eight. Emily Dulaney had 25 assists with Halle Hetzler netting 10 digs.

PLU returns to the friendly comforts of home next weekend, hosting Linfield University on Friday night inside Olson Gymnasium before taking on Pacific University the following night.