FOREST GROVE, Ore. - Whitworth won the first game, but host Pacific took the next three sets to pull out a 22-30, 30-19, 30-24, 30-22 Northwest Conference volleyball win over the Pirates on Friday night at the Pacific Athletic Center.

Rusch had 18 kills

Sarah Rusch had 18 kills and five blocks to lead Whitworth (9-9 overall, 4-5 NWC), while Nikki Bardwell and Cassie Moore had nine kills each to go with 19 digs and 25 digs, respectively. Holly Ridings dished 39 assists for the Pirates, who dropped their second straight on the trip to Oregon.

Jill Peacock led the Boxers (9-7, 4-5) with 20 kills and Caitlin Gollehon added 10 kills. Joanna Delanty had a match-high seven blocks and Anela Iseke finished with 50 assists.

Whitworth pulled away from a 20-17 lead in the first game with a 10-5 finish, winning the opening game on a kill by Ridings.

The Pirates were as close as 18-15 in the second game before Pacific finished on a 12-4 run, winning on a kill by Peacock.

Whitworth led the third game 17-15, but could not finish. The Boxers took the lead with a 6-0 run and then won on another game-winning kill by Peacock.

The Boxers never trailed the final game after pulling away from a 6-6 tie. Whitworth got within 21-18 after back to back Pacific errors, but the Boxers won on a kill by Iseke.

Whitworth will finish the three match trip to Oregon on Saturday night at George Fox.