SPOKANE, Wash—Maddie Lee, Cassidy Franklin and Kaity Barr combined for 32 kills and only two errors to power Whitworth past visiting Pacific Lutheran University 25-12, 25-15, 25-20 in a Northwest Conference volleyball match that gave the Pirates sole possession of first place in the conference standings.

Whitworth jumps to 11-2 overall and a perfect 6-0 NWC record. Pacific Lutheran falls to 8-7 and 5-1.

The Pirates surged ahead in the first set, diversifying their offense and attacking from all sides. Barr led with four kills, Lee recorded three, and Franklin and Abigail Hudson each had two. Barr also had one solo block and scored six total points in a dominant first frame. Whitworth hit .400 as a team compared to the Lutes' .028.

The first half of the second set was much tighter with ten ties and three lead changes before the Bucs closed on an 11-1 run.  The Whitworth offense came out on top again behind four kills each from Lee and Franklin. Joelle Forbes notched three service aces in the frame, and Barr recorded another solo block. Lee had a perfect 1.000 kill percentage in the second set, and the Pirates hit a team best .565.

Whitworth remained unstoppable in the third set, with Lee adding five more kills to her total. Franklin and Barr both recorded four in the third frame. Abby Wolverton recorded a solo block, and Barr and Saylor Anderson both had service aces. The Pirates hit their game worst .258, and the Pacific Lutheran hit their match best .129

McKenzie Pfeiffer led the Lute offense with ten kills in the match and a .280 hitting percentage.

Lee finished the night with twelve kills and a .476 hitting percentage, Franklin totaled ten kills and a .769 hitting percentage. Barr also finished with ten kills and two blocks, finishing with an .833 hitting percentage.

Whitworth returns to the Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Sept. 6, to take on Whitman College at 6pm.