Whitworth Pirates Volleyball
Sports Information
Whitworth Splits Against Ranked Opponents at Cal-Lu-Fornia Classic
Sept. 12, 2009

Pirates Unable to Complete Upset in Nightcap

Whitworth (4-7, 0-0 NWC)

Defeated La Verne 3-0
27-25, 25-21, 25-20

Lost to Trinity (Texas) 3-2
23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 25-20, 15-9

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Whitworth University nearly pulled off a pair of upsets over ranked opponents on Saturday at the Cal-Lu-Fornia Volleyball Classic, but the Pirates had to settle for only one. Whitworth defeated sixth-ranked La Verne in three sets, but dropped a five-set heartbreaker to 16th-ranked Trinity (Texas).

The Pirates put together their most complete performance of the season with a 27-25, 25-21, 25-20 win over the #6 Leopards. It is Whitworth's first win over the perennial power since defeating La Verne in the NCAA tournament in 2002.

The Pirates then took a surprising 2-1 set lead over Trinity in their final match of the tournament. But like last night against tournament-host Cal Lutheran, Whitworth could not close the deal against the Tigers and lost the match 23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 25-20, 15-9.

The Pirates are now 4-7 this season after the non-conference portion of their schedule. Match statistics are not available for either of today's contests.

Whitworth will open Northwest Conference play at home next weekend. The Pirates will take on Linfield on Friday and Willamette on Saturday. Both matches will start at 7:00 p.m.