SALEM, Ore. - Whitworth avenged an early season loss to Willamette when the visiting Pirates won 30-18, 28-30, 30-26, 30-27 in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Friday night at Cone Field House.

Tracy Schwada had a career high in kills with 12

Whitworth (7-4 overall, 2-1 NWC) was able to defeat the same Bearcat squad that defeated the Pirates 3-1 at the Whitworth Invitational two weeks ago. Willamette fell to 2-9, 0-3.

The Pirates rolled to a win in the first game with a .323 team hitting percentage. Willamette led most of the second game before pulling it out 30-28. The third game was tied 25-25 before the Pirates went on a 5-1 run to win 30-26. Whitworth won the fourth game, and the match, in dramatic fashion - after trailing 26-22 the Pirates went on an 8-1 run to finish the game and win 30-27.

Sarah Rusch (Jr., MB, Walla Walla, Wash.) had 23 kills and five blocks to lead the Pirates in both categories. Tracy Schwada (So., RS, Whitefish, Mont.) had her best match to-date for Whitworth with 12 kills and four blocks. Holly Ridings (Jr., S, Spokane, Wash.) had 34 assists and 22 digs.

Kelly Lindstrom had 22 kills for Willamette.

Whitworth continues its Oregon road trip on Saturday night with a match at defending co-NWC champion Linfield at 7:00 p.m. The Wildcats swept Whitman 3-0 on Friday night.