By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University volleyball team travels to Whitworth University and Whitman College this weekend for a pair of Northwest Conference matches. The Bearcat will battle the Pirates on Friday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. (PDT), before taking on the Missionaries on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m.

On Friday, Live Video and Live Stats will be provided by Whitworth. On Saturday, Live Video and Live Stats will be provided by Whitman.

The Bearcats head into the weekend with an 11-10 overall record and a 6-6 mark in the NWC. Willamette is fifth in the NWC standings.

Sarah Fincher (Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.) continues to be among the top attackers in the NWC. She leads Willamette and is second in the conference with 3.33 kills per set. She also ranks first for WU and is third in the NWC with 240 total kills this season. In addition, she has provided the Bearcat with 2.25 digs and 0.54 blocks per set.

Alexa Dowdell (So., MH/OPP, Mililani, HI/Maryknoll HS) is second on the team with 151 kills and 2.16 kills per set. She has achieved 2.53 digs per set.

In recent matches, Taylor Lum (So., MH/OH, Honolulu, HI/Maryknoll HS) has played particularly well, increasing her hitting percentage to .202 for the season. She is averaging 1.50 kills per set.

At the net, Taylor Gee (Sr., MH/OH, San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo HS) has been a force, earning a team-high 79 total blocks for 1.13 blocks per set. Gee ranks third in the NWC in blocking.

Libero Peyton Wahl (Fr., Richland, WA/Richland HS) has contributed 300 digs this season with an average of 4.05 digs per set. She also leads the team with 19 service aces. Lindsey Compton (Jr., OH/S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Univ. of Hartford) has averaged 8.51 assists and 3.24 digs per set.

Whitworth is 17-5 overall and is tied for first place in the NWC with Pacific Lutheran University at 10-2. The Lutes are 7-0 at home this season.

Nicole Leonard (Jr. OH) ranks first on the team with 251 kills and 3.14 kills per set, to go along with a team-high 4.16 digs per set. Brenna Bruil (So., MB) provides the Pirates with a .269 hitting percentage, while averaging 2.92 kills and 0.86 blocks per set. Cassandra Mendoza (Fr., OH) tacks on 2.37 kills per set.

Setter Maddye Dinsmore (Jr.) has supplied strong play throughout the season. She is tied for the NWC lead with 10.68 assists per set and ranks second in the conference with 0.46 service aces per set (38 total). She also averages 3.34 digs per set.

Whitman is 8-13 on the season, including 4-8 in the NWC. The Missionaries begin the weekend on a four-match losing streak. Earlier this year, the Bearcats defeated Whitman, 3-1, in Salem, Ore.

Shae Kanakaole (So., OH) has been a key player for Whitman. She is averaging 2.84 kills per set and leads the team with 224 kills. She has achieved 3.06 digs and 0.56 blocks per set. Also averaging more than two kills per set is Megan Bafus (Sr., OPP). She has recorded 2.33 kills per set, while also earning 0.63 blocks per set.

The Missionaries have received solid net play from Natalia Zea (So., MB), who has contributed 108 total blocks and 1.38 blocks per set. Hannah Linsenmayer (Jr., L/DS) has provided 4.72 digs per set from the back row. Anna Dawson (Fr., S) leads the team with 7.93 assists per set.