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Spokane, Wash. -- Pacific Lutheran University took a giant step toward a Northwest Conference volleyball championship on Saturday night as the visiting Lutes defeated Whitworth College 30-19, 31-29, 24-30, 33-31 in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

The win improved PLU's record to 14-6 overall and 13-1 in the NWC, keeping the Lutes one game ahead of Willamette with two games to play in the season. Whitworth could not convert on its chance to pull within a game of PLU and fell to 17-5 overall and 10-4 in the conference.

Stephanie Turner led PLU with 23 kills, four aces and four blocks. Turner served aces to win both the second and fourth games. Kati McGinn and Lina Peloli each added 15 kills for the Lutes, while Gina DiMaggio dished 57 assists. McGinn also added a game-high eight blocks. Libero Megan Kosel led all players with 24 digs.

Natalie Danielson finished with 13 kills and six blocks for Whitworth. Julie Marsh chipped in with 11 kills and 14 digs. Bekah Hornor dished 39 assists and added 17 digs, six kills and six blocks. Whitworth finished with a season-low .065 hitting percentage, well below the previous season low of .111 against Pacific on October 15.

PLU came out hard in the first game, taking an 18-9 lead on a kill by McGinn and rolling to a 30-19 win. The Lutes then came back from a 29-26 deficit in the second game by scoring the final five points to pull out a 31-29 victory. Turner's ace ended the game and gave PLU a commanding 2-0 lead.

Whitworth regrouped in the third game, pulling away from a 16-16 tie with and 8-1 run to take a 24-17 lead. The Lutes got within 28-24, but Marsh put the game away with a kill.

With Whitworth gaining momentum, PLU did not want to go to a fifth game. The Lutes took a 12-7 lead in the fourth game on a block by McGinn and DiMaggio. But Whitworth scored ten consecutive points, including three blocks, to race to a 17-12 advantage. The lead was still 24-17 when PLU scored six straight to pull within 24-23. Danielson's kill gave Whitworth a 29-28 lead. But PLU fought off three game points and finally took a 32-21 lead on a kill by McGinn. Turner's ace ended the match.

PLU will finish its schedule with home matches at home next weekend against Pacific and Lewis & Clark. Whitworth has concluded its home season and will finish with matches at Whitman on Wednesday and at George Fox on Saturday. Whitworth finished the season with a 10-1 record at home.

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