TACOMA, Wash. - Baylee Johnson led the way with 15 kills as the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team wrapped up the opening weekend of Northwest Conference play undefeated, taking down Lewis & Clark College 3-1 (25-21, 25-27, 25-19, 25-15) on Saturday night inside Olson Gymnasium.
 
It was a sluggish start for the Lutes (5-6, 2-0 NWC) , yielding five of the opening six points. PLU trailed 19-18 later in the set but scored seven of the final nine, including back-to-back kills from McKenzie Pfeiffer to take set one, 25-21.
 
PLU led 21-15 in the second set only to see the Pioneers (2-6, 0-2 NWC) score nine of the next 11. A Madeline Dawson service ace had L&C against the ropes, trailing 25-24 before closing the set with three straight points to steal the 27-25 win.
 
The Lutes raced out to a 7-2 lead in the third and played with the lead the rest of the set, winning 25-19 before opening up a 16-4 lead in the fourth and coasting to a 25-15 set win to wrap up the match.

"We played really well tonight and it was a great way to get a weekend sweep," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. "We're looking forward to our home match against our cross town rivals UPS on Wednesday."

Johnson's 15 kills led all players with McKenzie Pfeiffer adding 11 and Callie Simmonds finishing with 10 along with three aces. Hailey Iha had six blocks, Emily Dulaney collected 35 assists and 13 digs while Halle Hetzler led the defensive efforts with 21 digs.

Hear what @PLUVolleyball's Baylee Johnson had to say after the Lutes big win over Lewis & Clark #Golutes pic.twitter.com/pHtuGYFlhC

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) September 19, 2021

 
Winners of three straight, the Lutes continue their homestand on Wednesday night, facing crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound inside Olson Gymnasium. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.