FOREST GROVE, Ore. - It took five sets but the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team capped off the 2021 season on a high note, outlasting Northwest Conference rival Pacific University 3-2 (23-25, 25-15, 25-20, 13-25, 16-14) in a see-saw battle inside the Stroller Center on Saturday night.

PLU (16-9, 13-3 NWC) had its back against the wall in the decisive fifth set, trailing 9-5. The Lutes would score six of the next eight, tying the set at 11 on a Hailey Iha kill. The Boxers reclaimed the lead and had match point at 14-13 but a Jazz Alston kill tied the set again at 14 before consecutive kills from McKenzie Pfeiffer gave the Lutes the 16-14 set win to secure the match and finish the weekend undefeated.

The host Boxers (8-12, 8-8 NWC) led 18-13 in the first set but the Lutes began chipping away at the lead, tying the set at 21 on a Callie Simmonds kill and taking the lead on a Pacific attack error. The lead proved fleeting with Pacific scoring the next two points and four of the final five points to take the opening set 25-23.

Set two was tied 13-13 before the Lutes went on a tear, scoring 12 of the final 14 points to take the set 25-15. Set three was tied at 18 before the Lutes again took control, scoring seven of the final nine points to seize the 25-20 win. Pacific countered by winning the fourth set 25-13, setting up a fifth-set showdown.

Pfeiffer finished with 20 kills while Alston had 10 kills. Iha collected six kills along with a team-best six blocks. Emily Dulaney had 43 assists and 18 digs, Halle Hetzler had a team-high 29 digs and four aces with Torie Takeuchi adding 16 digs.

"Wow what a way to end a great season. Both teams played their hearts out.  We started the season a little slow but improved so much throughout the year," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki.

Saturday was the final curtain call for the programs six seniors- Jazz Alston, Hope Baldyga, Emily Dulaney, Kristin Moniz, McKenzie Pfeiffer, and Emily Zink. The 2021 seniors made the most of their four years on campus, posting a 62-28 overall record, a 45-15 mark in NWC play, and were nearly unbeatable at home, posting a 26-4 record in matches played in Olson Gymnasium.