SPOKANE, Wash. — It took five sets but the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team exacted revenge for an early season setback, downing in-state rival Whitworth University 3-2 (25-13, 19-25, 25-13, 25-27, 15-11) on Friday in a Northwest Conference showdown at the WU Fieldhouse. 
 
"My heart is still pounding!" said Head Coach Kevin Aoki.
 
"Our team just continues to play for each other. Coming back from a tough fourth set loss after being up 22-17 and then trailing 4-1 in the final set. It was just high intensity volleyball from both teams. It's been a while since we've come to Spokane to beat the tough Pirates."
 
The Lutes' (10-7, 5-4 NWC) win served as revenge after dropping the home opener 3-1 while short-staffed to the Pirates (12-5, 6-3 NWC) back on Sept. 16.
 
Pacific Lutheran scored five of the match's opening six points and finished the set on an 11-3 run, taking the set by a 25-13 scoreline. Whitworth leveled the match in the second set, prevailing 25-19 but the Lutes answered in the third with another 25-13 win. 
 
A Breeze Bartle service ace gave the Lutes the 24-20 advantage in the fourth set but the pesky Pirates tied the match with four consecutive points and scored seven of the final eight, forcing a fifth set with a 27-25 set win.
 
PLU conceded five of the opening six points in the fifth set but refused to back down, netting nine of the final 11 points to walk away with the 15-11 set win to secure the match and level the season series a one win apiece.
 
Baylee Johnson and Elle Thomas led the offense, both collecting a dozen kills with Bartle adding seven. Halle Hetzler had 26 digs and four aces while Olivia Evaro had a match-high 34 assists along with 14 digs. Hailey Iha was a force at the net, racking up seven blocks on the day. 
 
PLU was on point at the service line, ending the night with 15 aces from six different players.
 
The Lutes close out their tour of eastern Washington tomorrow evening, facing Whitman College at 6 p.m. in Walla Walla.