By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Shyla Sato (Jr., LIB, Honolulu, HI/MId-Pacific Institute) contributed 26 digs for Willamette University in a 3-1 loss to Whitworth University as the Bearcats battled the Pirates on Saturday, Sept. 25 at Cone Field House. Whitman improved to 9-2 on the season, a remained undefeated in the Northwest Conference with a 4-0 record. Willamette dropped to 4-5 overall, 1-3 in the NWC.

Natalie Klotz (Sr., OH, Bonner Springs, KS/Bonner Springs HS) registered 11 kills for the Bearcats, while Dani Queja (Jr., OH, Ewa Beach, HI/Maryknoll School) produced 10 kills and 12 digs. Olivia Cadien (Fy., OH, Mesa, AZ/Chandler Preparatory Academy) added nine kills. Setter Emma Porter (Jr., S, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) was credited with 29 assists and nine digs.

Madison Lee of Whitworth led all players with 21 kills. She also achieved a .340 hitting percentage and supplied 13 digs. Kaity Barr finished with 11 digs and hit .308. Saylor Anderson accumulated 29 assists and three service aces. Eva Millan topped the Pirates with 24 digs, while Joelle Forbes earned 17 digs.

Willamette held a 6-4 advantage in the first set, but the Pirates scored the next six points, including three kills by Lee. Klotz responded with a kill to pull the Bearcats within 10-7. Whitworth countered with a 4-1 run to grab a 14-8 advantage. The Pirates went on to win the set, 25-14.

The Bearcats took the second set to even the match at one win apiece. Willamette was in front by a narrow 12-10 margin before the Bearcats put together a 5-2 run for a 17-12 lead. Queja completed the run with back-to-back kills. A bit later, the Pirates reduced the deficit to 19-17 on a kill by Lee. Willamette remained in front until Whitworth tied the score at 24-24 on a kill from Barr. The Bearcats scored next on a kill by Queja, but the Pirates tied the score again at 25-25. A kill by Queja moved Willamette back into the lead, and a kill by Klotz gave the Bearcats a 27-25 victory.

In the third set, the teams played through six ties and three lead changes. A kill by Barr gave Whitworth a 14-11 advantage before the Bearcats tied the score at 14-14. The teams were tied four more times, and then two consecutive points for the Pirates put Whitworth in front, 20-18. The Bearcats moved within one point twice, including 21-20. The Pirates closed out the set with a 4-1 run, ending with a kill by Abby Wolverton and a kill by Abigail Hudson.

Whitworth retained its momentum from the third set and surged out to an 11-3 lead in the fourth set. Willamette reduced the margin to 21-16 after Cadien registered two kills in a row. Whitworth won the set 25-17.

The Bearcats will host George Fox University in a Northwest Conference match on Friday, Sept. 1. Action is scheduled to begin at Cone Field House at 7 p.m. (PDT).