SPOKANE, Wash. - Sarah Rusch posted 26 points to lead Whitworth University to a 30-26, 23-30, 30-26, 30-23 win over visiting Pacific University in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Friday night. It was the conference opener for both schools.

Rusch totaled 26 points to lead the Bucs

Rusch (Jr., MB, Walla Walla, Wash.) finished with 19 kills, six total blocks (3s, 6a) and an ace for her 26 points. Nikki Bardwell (Jr., OH, Colville, Wash.) added 15 kills for the Pirates (6-3 overall, 1-0 NWC), while Cassie Moore (Sr., Lib, Spokane, Wash.) came up with 24 digs.

Melissa Dunn led the Boxers (5-3, 0-1) with 22 points on 19 kills, two aces and a pair of block assists. Jill Peacock chipped in 17 kills and Anela Iseke dished a match-high 46 assists to go along with 12 digs.

There were seven ties and four lead changes in the first game, but they all occurred in the opening points. Trailing 12-11, the Pirates scored four straight points and never trailed again, winning 30-26.

The second game saw bigger changes in momentum. Peacock's kill gave the Boxers a 15-9 lead. But Whitworth answered with a 9-4 run to pull within 19-18 after a kill by Bardwell. Pacific retook control with a 7-2 run and a 26-20 after a kill by Dunn. The Boxers eventually won 30-23.

The third game turned out to be the pivotal set of the match, featuring nine ties. Pacific led 10-7 after a Peacock kill, but the Pirates scored the next five points for a 12-10 advantage. Whitworth's lead grew to 20-14 on a kill by Tracy Schwada (So., RS, Whitefish, Mont.), but Pacific fought back to tie the game 25-25. The Pirates finished the game on a 5-1 run, winning 30-26 on a kill by Bardwell.

Whitworth took that momentum and built a quick 7-2 lead in the fourth and final game. Pacific fought back to within 9-8, but the Boxers would never be able to pull equal. The Pirates eventually built leads of 25-17 and 29-21 before winning 30-23. Rusch had six of her kills in the deciding game for the Bucs.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday. Whitworth will host George Fox (5-3, 0-1), a five-game loser at Whitman on Friday night. Pacific travels to Walla Walla to take on the Missionaries (5-4, 1-0).