BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A dominating defensive effort at the net led the No. 6 nationally-ranked Western Washington University volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep over visiting Concordia Thursday night on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

The Vikings recorded the straight-sets 25-16, 25-19, 25-23 victory in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play to improve to 18-1 overall and remain in first place with a 10-1 league record. WWU has now won 37 consecutive matches in Carver Gym.

WWU out-blocked Concordia 15-6 in the match, with sophomore middle Chloe Roetcisoender leading the way with a 10-block, 11-kill double-double. Senior All-American middle Kayleigh Harper and redshirt freshman setter Malia Aleaga each added 5 blocks.

"Our defense was really good for us tonight," said WWU 20^th-year head coach Diane Flick-Williams. "Our block really solid tonight, but it was set up by some great serves. Chloe dominated the net both offensively and defensively. Alison (Davenport) came in clutch with her serve to get us some points."

Redshirt freshman outside hitter Calley Heilborn narrowly missed a double-double with 9 kills and a team-high 17 digs, and sophomore outside hitter Gabby Gunterman contributed 6 kills and 15 digs. Aleaga and junior outside hitter Alison Davenport each recorded a pair of service aces. 

Concordia was led by a match-high 18 digs from Callie Wilkins and a 16-assist, 12-dig double-double from Kahua Tilton.

Kills - Roetcisoender (11), Harper (9), Heilborn (9)

Aces - Aleaga (2), Davenport (2), Gunterman (1)

Blocks - Roetcisoender (10), Aleaga (5), Harper (5)

Assists - Aleaga (31), Thungc (3), Lologo (2)

Digs - Heilborn (17), Thungc (16), Gunterman (15)

Points - Roetcisoender (16.5), Harper (11.5), Heilborn (11.0), Gunterman (8.5)

The Vikings (18-1, 10-1 GNAC) remain at home hosting Western Oregon (3-15, 1-10) on Saturday in Carver Gym. First serve is scheduled for 7 pm.

The Vikings have won 37 consecutive matches in Carver Gym dating back to 2014 season (played two seasons at Whatcom CC in 2015-16), including a perfect 13-0 record last season and off to a 6-0 start this year.

»        Current 37-match winning streak in Carver Gym dating back to 2014.

»        Went 13-0 in Carver Gym last season, including three wins in the NCAA II West Regional.

»        WWU is 273-81 (.771) all-time in Carver Gym, including 158-15 (.913) under Diane Flick-Williams.

WWU is undefeated at 14-0 all-time vs. Concordia, including a 3-1 victory earlier this season in Portland. WWU is 5-0 all-time vs. the Cavaliers in matches played in Bellingham.

Here is an early look at the GNAC standings through matches played on Thursday:

The Vikings are 48-2 over their last 50 matches dating back to the start of the 2018 season and 75-9 since the beginning of the 2017 campaign.

Fans can follow WWU Volleyball online at WWUVikings.com/VB, and via social media on Twitter (@WWUVolleyball), Instagram (@WWUVB) and Facebook (@WWUVolleyball). All home matches feature a live webcast, as well as most road matches, with links on how to follow the games available at WWUVikings.com/Live.

The WWU volleyball program has risen to elite level by advancing to the NCAA Division II Championships in each of the last seven seasons and 13 of the last 18 dating back to the 2001 season. The winner of nine Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships, Western won the 2018 GNAC title with a perfect 20-0 record and the 2017 championship by posting a 19-1 league. Led by 20^th-year head coach Diane Flick-Williams, the Vikings have played in the NCAA II West Region championship match each of the last four seasons (2015-18), winning titles in 2015 and 2018. WWU played for the NCAA II national championship in 2007 and 2018, both national runner-up finishes, have advanced to the NCAA Final Four in two of the past four seasons (2015 and 2015).