WALLA WALLA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball squad extended its winning streak to three on Saturday evening, downing Northwest Conference rival Whitman College 3-1 (25-16, 17-25, 25-21, 25-16) inside the Sherwood Center.

The host Blues (1-7) held an early lead in the opening set but the Lutes (6-4) utilized a 10-2 run to seize a 14-7 advantage. PLU would play with the lead the rest of the set, scoring five of the final seven points for the 25-16 win. The Blues conceded the opening point of the second set before ripping off the next four points and six of the next seven. The hosts would maintain the lead the rest of the way to level the match with a 25-17 set win.

In the third, PLU trailed 12-7 before ripping off 11 of the next 12 to take an 18-13 lead. That scoring binge included Two kills from McKenzie Pfeiffer and three aces off the serve of Halle Hetzler. Whitman regrouped and pulled within three before a Hailey Iha kill gave the Lutes the 25-21 set win.

PLU earned separation in the fourth with kills from Baylee Johnson, Breeze Bartle, and Lauren Wilson to open up a 16-10 lead. Whitman closed the gap to 17-13 but six straight points from the Lutes pushed the advantage to double digits en route to the 25-16 set win to wrap up the match and secure the weekend sweep.

"We spoke before the match about changing our story," said assistant coach Lina Randall.

"We have been winning the first set and then losing the next two. It was time to write a story with a different ending. The women came out mentally prepared to battle and took the first set. Although we dropped the second set we did win the third and the fourth! Our serving was very tough tonight. Our outsides Baylee and Lauren played lights out. It was an awesome way to end our last road trip of the season."

Wilson led the offense with 14 kills while also adding two aces and 10 digs. Johnson notched 10 kills with no errors, boasting a .455 attack percentage. Hailey Iha had six kills on just 10 attacks while Emily Dulaney racked up 25 assists. Hetzler led the team with three aces and a15 digs.

The Lutes and Blues meet again on Friday with a doubleheader inside Olson Gymnasium. First serve is slated for 4 p.m.