Slow Starts Doom Pirates

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Whitworth University could not overcome a pair of slow starts, losing both volleyball matches on the first day of the 2009 schedule. The Pirates fell 25-18, 25-22, 15-25, 25-20 to Walla Walla University in the opener and 25-16, 25-23, 25-20 to Eastern Oregon University in the nightcap.

Whitworth fell behind quickly in each of the sets the Pirates lost and never could recover. Whitworth held off four match points in the final set, but could not complete a comeback.

Ka'ipo Rocha (So., MB, Pukalani, Hawaii) led Whitworth with 11 kills, while Tracy Schwada (Sr., RS, Whitefish, Mont.) totaled seven kills and six blocks. Natalie Wilkening led Walla Walla with a match-high 19 kills.

The slow-start bug got the Bucs again in the nightcap as Eastern Oregon jumped to a quick lead in the first set and rolled to an easy win. Whitworth almost completed a comeback from a 21-16 deficit in the second stanza before the Mountaineers recovered to win. EOU kept the momentum into the third set to complete the sweep.

Kaimi Rocha (So., OH, Pukalani, Hawaii) led the Bucs with nine kills while Bree Riddle (So., S, Spokane, Wash.) dished 21 assists. Grace DeBoodt led Eastern with a match-high 15 kills and 11 digs.

Whitworth will try to bounce back on Wednesday night when the Pirates host Lewis-Clark State at 6:00 p.m. in the Fieldhouse.