Click here for complete Box Score

Spokane, Wash. -- Steve Rupe earned his 100th win as a college volleyball coach, directing Whitworth College to a 30-19, 30-26, 30-27 win over visiting University of Puget Sound in a Northwest Conference women's volleyball match on Friday night in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

The Pirates improved to 17-4 overall and 10-3 in the NWC. Rupe, in his sixth season, is now 100-53 as a head coach at Whitworth.

Natalie Danielson led the Pirates with 11 kills and five blocks. Brittney Bower added 10 kills and Julie Marsh led all players with 23 digs. Bekah Hornor finished with 37 assists.

Stephanie Ferris led UPS (5-16, 4-9) with nine kills, while Rachel Gross dug 16 balls. Emily Sabelhaus dished 18 assists and Monica Groves finished with four blocks.

Whitworth pulled away from a 13-10 lead in the first game with a quick 5-1 run, including two kills from Bower. The Pirates won the game 30-19 on a Bower kill as well.

Puget Sound build a 13-7 lead in game two when Ferris finished a kill. But the Pirates fought back to take a 15-14 lead after back to back Logger attack errors. The teams traded points and leads until a block by Katy Schrader and Marsh gave the Bucs a 24-21 advantage. Whitworth won the set 30-26 on Danielson's kill.

Whitworth led 10-3 in the third game before the Loggers fought back with five straight points, including four consecutive Pirate attack errors. The game remained close the rest of the way, and when Sabelhaus served an ace, UPS had taken a 27-26 lead. But Whitworth scored the final four points, including three kills by Schrader, to win the game and the match 30-27.

Both teams return to action on Saturday night when UPS plays at Whitman and Whitworth hosts first place Pacific Lutheran.

Go to Athletics Home Page > Volleyball >