SPOKANE, Wash. – Make it eight in a row. The University of Puget Sound volleyball won its eighth consecutive match on Saturday in a thrilling five-set victory over Whitworth (21-25, 32-30, 25-21, 23-25, 17-15). With the win, the Loggers (14-4, 9-1) take over sole control of first place in the NWC. Natalie Monro led all players with a match-high 22 kills.

Monro was joined by freshmen Jackie Harvey and Jordan Bird with double digit kills. Harvey and Bird each posted double-doubles on the night to help the Loggers to victory. Harvey had 16 kills and 10 digs while Bird tallied 10 kills and 17 digs.

Erika Greene also posted a double-double with 61 assists and 11 digs. Stephanie O'Connor added 19 digs while Juliette Witous had a team-high 26 digs.

For the second consecutive night, the Loggers dropped the first set but bounced back to win an extended second set. After the 32-30 second set victory, the Loggers put the Pirates (11-6, 8-2) on the ropes with a 25-21 victory in the third set. The Pirates rebounded with a 25-23 win in the fourth set before the Loggers secured the match with a 17-15 victory in the fifth and deciding set.a

As a team, the Loggers outhit the Pirates .131 to .104.

The Pirates defeated Pacific Lutheran last night to stay tied with the Loggers on top of the NWC standings. The Loggers now are in the driver's seat to the NWC titles with six matches left in the regular season.

The Loggers return home next week to host Linfield on Friday and Willamette on Saturday.