SPOKANE, Wash. -- Nicole Vander Meulen hammered 13 kills, including the match winner, to lead Whitworth to a 30-22, 30-14, 30-28 win over visiting Willamette in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Saturday night in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.
Vander Meulen led all players in kills, including five in the decisive third game. Angie Florence posted 11 kills and a match-high 20 digs for Whitworth (5-16, 4-6 NWC). Holly Ridings added a double double with 43 assists and 17 digs, while Cassie Moore dug 18 balls. Jessica Durham finished with nine kills and 12 digs to lead Willamette (4-16, 0-10). Mary Butler added eight kills, and Alona Lyamin led the Bearcats with 16 digs. Whitworth grabbed an early 8-3 lead in the first game after back to back attack errors by Willamette. The Pirates eventually extended the lead to 22-14 and 29-19 before Holly Tomlin's kill won the set. Whitworth never trailed in the second game, opening up leads of 5-1, 13-4, 21-8 and 27-13. The Bearcats struggled to a -.091 hitting percentage in the game. Willamette fought hard to extend the match past a third game. The Bearcats took an early 5-2 after a Pirate service error. Whitworth took the lead 8-7 on a kill by Vander Meulen. From that point there were ten ties and three lead changes. Willamette tied the match for the final time 28-28 on a block by Jessica Drumm and Brooke Smith. But back to back kills by Vander Meulen won the match for the Bucs. Whitworth will head to the road next weekend, playing at Lewis & Clark on Friday night and at George Fox on Saturday. Willamette is back in action next Friday at Pacific. |
