SPOKANE, WASH. -- Whitworth University defeated Willamette University, 3-0, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Friday, Oct. 8. The Pirates won, 27-25, 25-16, 25-9, to improve to 9-5 overall, 6-1 in the NWC. Willamette moved to 6-10 on the season, 2-5 in conference play.
The first set was Willamette's best of the night. The set saw nine ties and six lead changes. Willamette trailed 8-2 but rallied to take a 19-16 lead. The Bearcats were one point from winning the set but were unable to finish it. Whitworth went on to win, 27-25.
Whitworth won the second and third sets easily. The Pirates hit the ball well throughout the night, including a .462 hitting percentage in the third set. Kaimi Rocha had a match-high 14 kills. Whitworth had 38 kills overall, plus nine serving aces and five team blocks. Whitney Santos topped all players with 19 digs.
Willamette never recovered from the first set defeat. Molly Blankenship (Sr., OH, Spokane, WA/Spokane Falls CC) achieved a team-high seven kills. Freshman Elizabeth Balding (LIB/DS, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) had 13 digs.
The Bearcats' next match is on Saturday, Oct. 9 against Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. Match time is set for 5 p.m. (PDT).
Molly Blankenship recorded seven kills and eight digs for Willamette.
