TACOMA, Wash. - It was a clash fitting for the top two teams in the Northwest Conference standings on Saturday night. Host Pacific Lutheran University and Whitworth University traded jabs all evening before the Pirates eventually pulled away, spoiling the Lutes' bid at a perfect season inside Olson Gymnasium by stealing a 3-1 (25-18, 25-23, 24-26, 26-24) victory.

"What a great effort by our team tonight," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. "We came up a little short but it was some great volleyball by both teams. We're so proud of all the seniors and their dedication to the PLU volleyball program."

Halle Hetzler was the star defensively for the Lutes, collecting a career-high 47 digs, shattering a program single-match record for digs in a four set match previously set at 42 by Amber Aguiar in 2013. Hetzler's performance was the third most digs ever in a PLU volleyball match with the other two efforts of 51 and 49, set during five-set matches.

The opening set saw neither team own a lead greater than a point until the Pirates (19-2, 14-0 NWC) secured a 10-8 lead midway through the set. Whitworth slowly earned separation, scoring four straight points to take a 14-9 advantage and led the rest of the way, taking set one by a 25-18 scoreline.

PLU (14-9, 11-3 NWC) surrendered the first four points of set two but quickly gained ground tying the set at eight. The set would remain a nip and tuck affair the rest of the way before consecutive kills from Jay Hodge gave the Pirates the 25-23 set win.

Four combined kills from seniors McKenzie Pfeiffer and Jazz Alston gave the Lutes an early 6-3 lead in the third set. Whitworth erased the Lute lead and held a 20-16 advantage before the Lutes rallied again, scoring five of the next six including a Hetzler ace to tie the set at 21. Whitworth had PLU against the ropes with a 24-23 lead before the Lutes tallied three straight to force a fourth set, securing a 26-24 win. A Johnson kill tied the set at 24 while Alston provided the set clinching kill.

The Lutes led 19-14 in the fourth but Whitworth answered, pulling within one at 21-20 before scoring six of the final seven points to escape with the 26-24 set win to clinch the NWC title and snapping the Lutes' 10-match home winning streak.

McKenzie Pfeiffer closed the match with 17 kills while Hailey Iha added 14 kills and five blocks, boasting a .429 attack percentage. Jazz Alston posted a career-high 13 kills in her final match inside Olson Gymnasium. Bailey Johnson was the fourth Lute to finish in double figures with 10 kills. Emily Dulaney had 55 assists and 10 digs while Makenna Jackson collected 15 digs.

Saturday was senior night with the Lutes honoring their six seniors- McKenzie Pfeiffer, Jazz Alston, Emily Dulaney, Emily Zink, Hope Baldyga, and Kristin Moniz. The six seniors helped the Lutes rack up a 60-28 record over the past four years, including winning the 2018 NWC title while owning an impressive 26-4 mark inside Olson Gymnasium.

The Lutes are back on the court on Friday, facing Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon.