LAS VEGAS - Whitworth University finished second in the Las Vegas Blast by winning the team's final two matches of the tournament on Saturday and finishing 3-1. The Pirates defeated Rivier 30-23, 32-30, 30-19 in the first match and Russell Sage 30-18, 30-11, 30-22 in the finale.

Ridings finished with 64 assists in two matches

The 3-1 start to the 2007 season is a great improvement over 2006, when Whitworth didn't win its third match until the 15th game on the schedule.

Nikki Bardwell led the Pirates against Rivier with 14 kills (hitting .414) with 12 digs. Sarah Rusch added 11 kills and Holly Ridings dished 38 assists. All-Northwest Conference libero Cassie Moore had 16 digs.

In the tournament's finale, which ultimately decided second place, Rusch hit .529 and had 11 kills and two blocks. Courtney Hutchins had 10 kills with no errors in 14 attempts (.714), while Ridings added 26 more assists.

Whitworth will return to Spokane to host its own Invitational next weekend. The Pirates will play Montana-Western and Lewis-Clark State on Friday, then fellow NWC member Willamette on Saturday. Saturday's second match will be determined by the results of the previous three games.