TACOMA, Wash. - Whitworth University threatened, but could not sustain, an upset at Pacific University, falling to the 2007 Northwest Conference volleyball champions 27-30, 30-23, 30-13, 30-19.

Rusch had 15 kills

The Lutes (21-3 overall, 14-0 NWC) won their 15th straight match and swept the season series against the Pirates (10-13, 5-9).

Sarah Rusch (Jr., MB, Walla Walla, Wash.) led Whitworth with 15 kills, while Cassie Moore (Sr., OH, Spokane, Wash.) contributed 11 kills and 18 digs. Holly Ridings (Sr., S, Spokane, Wash.) dished 35 assists and had 17 digs.

Beth Hanna and Stacy Matz had 26 and 20 kills, respectively, to lead PLU. Gina DiMaggio finished with 51 assists.

Whitworth pulled away from a 17-17 tie to win the first game on a kill by Holly Tomlin (Jr., MB, Kirkland, Wash.). The second game was close for the first half and after Ridings' kill gave the Bucs a 15-14 lead, the upset threat became real. But the Lutes took control and won the game on a kill by Matz.

Having awoken the NWC tiger, the Pirates never led in either game three or game four as the Lutes rolled in both sets. PLU hit .452 in the third and .351 in the fourth.

Whitworth will finish the 2007 season next week with a road match at Whitman College on Wednesday and a home match against Lewis & Clark College on Friday.