TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team inched closer to its first Northwest Conference title since 2018 on Friday night, downing in-state rival Whitman College 3-1 (25-23, 20-25, 25-18, 25-16) inside Olson Gymnasium for the Lutes' 13th consecutive victory. 

Pacific Lutheran (14-7, 13-0 NWC) can secure the league title and the No. 1 seed for the inaugural Northwest Conference Tournament with a senior day victory tomorrow against Whitworth University. 

"It was a little up and down tonight but we continue to work through tough moments and that is what makes this team so good," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. 

"We're looking forward to senior night and hosting Whitworth tomorrow."

The visiting Blues (4-16, 3-10 NWC) led 20-18 in the opening set before a service error, a Claire Hindman kill, and a Halle Hetzler ace put the Lutes up one point. PLU wouldn't trail the rest of the set with an Elle Thomas kill wrapping up the set 25-23 in favor of the hosts. 

The second set was tied at 15 before Whitman rolled off five of the next six points. The Blues would lead the rest of the way, leveling the match with a 25-20 victory. 

The third set was deadlocked at 13 before the Lutes ripped off eight consecutive points, including a pair of aces and a kill from Torie Takeuchi. PLU never looked back, cruising to a 25-18 set win.

PLU tallied seven of the opening 10 points in the fourth set. Whitman tied it at 8-8 but the Lutes proved too much down the stretch, breezing to the 25-16 victory for the Lutes' 13th consecutive win.

Baylee Johnson and Claire Hindman both finished with 13 kills while Elle Thomas added eight. Alexis Eggert made an impact with seven kills and an impressive .353 hitting percentage. Olivia Evaro had 42 assists and 11 digs while Hetzler finished with a match-high 24 digs while Takeuchi added 16 and Makenna Jackson chipped in 11. PLU tallied 11 aces on the night, including five off the serve of Hetzler.

The Lutes host Whitworth tomorrow at 6 p.m. with the program honoring its senior class prior to the first serve.