SPOKANE, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team extended its win streak to six on Saturday night, bouncing Northwest Conference nemesis Whitworth University 3-1 (26-24, 25-19, 28-30, 25-22) to remain in sole possession of first place in the league standings.
 
"The match was incredible! This group is so resilient as we need all 22 of them to buy in and they have bought in. We have a tough match next Friday against a very good George Fox team," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. 
 
The Lutes (7-7, 6-0 NWC) push their win streak to six, PLU's best start to league play since the 2013 season as they remain in sole possession of first place as the league's only unbeaten squad. 
 
Halle Hetzler had three aces as the Lutes raced out to an early 4-1 advantage in the opening set. The host Pirates (7-7, 4-2 NWC) battled back, taking a 17-13 lead midway through the set. PLU tied the set on four occasions but Whitworth had the Lutes on the ropes with a 24-21 advantage. Undeterred, PLU battled back with a Haley Goto kill, a Makenna Jackson ace, and three straight kills from Baylee Johnson to give the Lutes the 26-24 set win.
 
PLU scored the first four points of the second set and led the rest of the way, prevailing 25-19. 
 
The third set was a nip and tuck affair with neither team holding an edge greater than four points. PLU led 28-27 before the Pirates scored the final three points of the set to scratch out the 30-28 victory. 
 
The fourth set was tied 21-21 before the Lutes took over, getting kills from Hailey Iha, Baylee Johnson, and Claire Hindman to secure the 25-22 victory to wrap up the match in four and downing Whitworth for the second straight season in Spokane.
 
Johnson powered the Lutes with 13 kills while Elle Thomas and Haley Goto both had a dozen kills. Iha finished with eight kills on just 16 attacks, boasting a .438 attack percentage. Olivia Evaro racked up 50 assists and 10 digs while Halle Hetzler accumulated a match-high 43 digs with Makenna Jackson netting 13.
 
The Lutes are back on the court on Friday with the Lutes hosting George Fox University on Friday inside Olson Gymnasium at 7 p.m.