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PORTLAND, Ore. – The Lewis & Clark women’s volleyball team nearly knocked off the 15th ranked team in the nation on Saturday night, taking the Pacific Lutheran Lutes to five sets in a Northwest Conference match-up. The Lutes were victorious however, defeating the Pioneers 3-2 in the Pamplin Sports Complex.

The Pioneers, who came out victorious in the opening set, were unable to hold off the Lutes who came back to win the next two sets and then the final set by scores of 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 17-25, and 15-12.

The Lutes opened the fifth and deciding set in strong fashion, scoring the first two points and never looking back.

With the win the Lutes, who solidified the NWC Regular Season Championship earlier in the week, improve to 20-6 on the season and a perfect 16-0 in conference play. The Pioneers end their season tied with cross-town rival George Fox for third place with a 10-6 conference record and 14-11 overall record.

The Pioneers ended the night with four players posted double-doubles. Senior Jessamy Holland ended her career at L&C with a game-high 17 kills, while chipping in 11 digs. Sophomore middle hitter Margaret Dowling finished with 13 kills and 17 digs, while senior Sarah Hall ended her career with 10 kills and 19 digs. Freshman Jennifer Dowdy capped off a tremendous rookie campaign with 10 kills and 10 digs. Freshman setter Leia Matsunaga put in one of her best showings of the season, dishing out 54 assists, just one shy of her career high.

Kelsie Moore and Kelcy Joynt both had double-doubles for the Lutes, with Moore knocking down 17 kills and 16 digs, while Joynt had 17 kills and 17 digs. Sarah Beaver led the Lutes in assists with 51.