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Spokane, Wash. -- Whitworth College controlled both sides of the net to roll to a 30-19, 30-24, 30-25 win over visiting Whitman College in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Wednesday night in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

The Pirates, who improved to 12-3 overall and 5-2 in the NWC, hit .255 as a team and finished with 11 team blocks (2 unassisted and 18 block assists). The Missionaries (4-11, 2-5) hit .092 and had six team blocks.

Whitman stayed with Whitworth through the first half of the first game. Laura Williams' kill pulled the Missionaries to within 15-12. But the Pirates went on a 9-1 run, including three straight blocks, to open up a 24-13 lead before winning 30-19.

The Missionaries and Pirates traded leads throughout much of game two. Lydia Hayes' kill pulled Whitman to within 25-24 late in the set. But Whitworth scored the final five points, including two kills from Katy Schrader, to win 30-24.

Whitworth only trailed once in game three, 1-0 on an attack error by Julie Marsh, but the Pirates didn't shake Whitman until the end. The Bucs led 20-13 on a kill by Carey Guhlke, but the Missionaries pulled to within 21-19 on Guhlke's attack error. Whitworth opened back up a 28-20 lead on Natalie Danielson's kill. Whitman held off a couple of match points before Brittney Bower's kill of of a block ended the match at 30-25.

Danielson and Marsh led Whitworth with 14 and 13 kills, respectively. Whitney Murphy had 16 digs to lead the Bucs, while Holly Coleman, Cassie Moore and Marsh added 14 digs apiece. Rebekah Hornor dished 46 assists and Katy Schrader led Pirate blockers with five.

Hayes finished with 13 kills to lead Whitman. Natalie Kramer and Lyndsay Buckingham had 13 digs and Hayes chipped in with 12. Kate Borsato finished with 29 assists while Kramer and Emily Seider had four blocks each.

Whitman and Whitworth will each host George Fox University in their only other match of the week. The Missionaries host the Bruins on Friday night before the Pirates get the chance to host Fox on Saturday. Both matches start at 7:00 pm.

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