SALEM, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team maintained its grip of first place in the Northwest Conference standings on Friday, blowing past host Willamette University 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-14) inside the Cone Field House. 
 
"It was a good win in our first away match of the conference season as it's always tough to play at an opposing team's place," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. 
 
The opening set was tied at 10 before the Lutes kicked it into high gear, scoring the next eight points and 15 of the next 18 to secure the 25-13 set victory. Makenna Jackson tallied the set clinching kill.
 
Pacific Lutheran opened the second set on a 9-1 run but the Bearcats battled back, closing within a point on three occasions, including an ace to make it 19-18. A Willamette service error and a Claire Hindman kill gave the Lutes some breathing room before scoring the final three points to secure a 25-20 set win.
 
Six of the first eight points of the third set went to PLU as the Lutes glided to the 25-14 win to sweep the match in straight sets. PLU has now won three of its four conference matches in straight sets as it currently holds sole possession of first place in the NWC standings as the only program with four victories in league play.
 
Baylee Johnson led the Lutes with 10 kills while Hindman and Haley Goto were both brutally efficient with nine kills. Hindman finished the match with a .400 hitting percentage while Goto boasted a .421 hitting percentage along with five blocks. 
 
32 of PLU's 39 assists came from passes from Olivia Evaro while Halle Hetzler and Torie Takeuchi finished with 22 and 12 digs, respectively. 
 
"We're looking forward to the Whits next weekend in eastern Washington."
 
The Lutes are back on the court next Friday, taking on Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash.