Warriors' Blocking Dominates Pirates

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Whitworth University could not overcome the athleticism and height advantage of visiting Lewis-Clark State College on Wednesday night, falling to the Warriors 25-21, 25-15, 25-16 in a non-conference volleyball contest at the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

LCSC posted 10 team blocks, against only one for the host Pirates, on the way to the three-set sweep.

Whitworth started well in every set, holding a 5-1 lead in the first, a 6-0 lead in the second, and a 3-0 lead in the third. But the Warriors asserted themselves at the net in each stanza to regain control.

Anile Clemente led all players with 12 kills for LCSC, and Jenika Bird added 11 kills and five block assists. The Warriors hit .240 as a team.

Brynn DeLong (Jr., OH, Spokane, Wash.) and Kaimi Rocha (So., OH, Pukalani, Hawaii) led the Pirates with seven kills apiece. Whitworth struggles against the LCSC block led to a .019 hitting percentage for the Bucs.

Whitworth will regroup from its 0-3 start and hit the road for the Colorado College Pikes Peak Challenge this Friday and Saturday. All four of the Pirates' opponents will be NCAA Division III members.

LCSC improved to 3-2.