TACOMA, Wash. - The Lewis & Clark volleyball team had its hands full with the No. 20 team in the country, Pacific Lutheran, on Friday night in Northwest Conference action. Despite falling 3-0 (16-25, 19-25, 22-25) the Pioneers were able to challenge the host Lutes.

The loss drops the Pioneers to 11-12 on the season and 5-9 in conference play. The Lutes improve to 18-4 overall and 11-2 in the NWC.

Kataleya Milan led the team with 10 kills, while Isabel Valentine and Brigitte Russo ended the night with eight. Emily Drake finished with a team-high 17 assists, while Vanessa Hall concluded her evening with 12. Alexe Navarro came up with 17 digs for the Pios, while Tessa Belanger led the team with five blocks.

Lucy Capron led all players with 16 kills for the Lutes, while teammate Samantha North had a match-high 39 assists.

The opening set started off competitively with the Lutes holding a slim advantage. PLU ran away with the set after breaking an 11-11 tie to take the game 25-16.

The second set was much the same with the teams rallying back and forth. Trailing 17-15, the Pioneers were unable to capture the lead despite their best efforts, falling 25-19.

The Pioneers took it to the Lutes in the third set, tying the contest on 15 different occasions. The Pioneers pulled ahead of the Lutes 16-13, their largest lead of the match, but the Lutes managed to work their way back into the set. Tied at 22-22, PLU found a way to score three uncontested points to take the set and match 25-22.

The Pioneers return home for their next match, hosting Whitman on Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.