SPOKANE, Wash. - Whitworth University played as close as possible in every set it played on Friday at the Whitworth Invitational, but too many of the close ones got away as the Pirates split a pair of matches against Menlo College and University of Montana Western.
Click here for complete tournament results/stats. Whitworth fell to Menlo 26-24, 25-23, 26-24 in the Bucs' first match of the tournament. In each game Whitworth had its chances but could not get over the top against the Oaks (3-3). Kaimi Rocha (Fr., OH, Pukalani, Hawaii) led Whitworth with 12 kills, while Nikki Bardwell (Sr., OH, Colville, Wash.) added 13 digs. Bree Riddle (Fr., S, Spokane, Wash.) finished with 21 assists. It looked like the Pirates might be on their way to a similar fate in the nightcap against Western. The Bulldogs (2-4) trailed in the third set 24-20 before rallying to win 29-27 in the third straight set that ended in that score. The third-set win gave Western a 2-1 edge. The Pirates then fell behind 17-9 in the fourth game before beginning their own huge rally. Still trailing 23-20, Whitworth scored the final five points to pull out the set. The Pirates used the momentum to cruise to a 15-7 win in the deciding frame. Kaimi Rocha again led the way with 18 kills and she added 11 digs and four block assists. Bardwell finished with 14 kills and 15 digs, while Ka'ipo Rocha (Fr., MB, Pukalani, Hawaii) totaled 13 kills and four block assists. Tracy Schwada (Jr., RS, Whitefish, Mont.) was the fourth Whitworth player in double figures in kills with 11. Holly Tomlin (Sr., MB, Kirkland, Wash.) led with six blocks and Bethany Castilleja (Sr., DS, Kennewick, Wash.) dug 26 balls. Whitworth will conclude the tournament on Saturday with a match against Whitman College (4:00 p.m.) and another against Lewis-Clark State (6:00 p.m.). |
