SPOKANE, Wash. - Whitworth University demonstrated the vast difference in its ability to play volleyball poorly and well in the span of only six days last week. Less than a week after the team's first negative hitting percentage in over a decade in a three-set loss at Pacific (Ore.), the Pirates handed nationally-ranked Puget Sound its first conference loss of the season last Friday. On Saturday the Pirates played well but lost 3-1 to defending NWC champion Pacific Lutheran.

Whitworth will look to build consistently solid play this week when the Pirates travel to Whitman (Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.) and Linfield (Saturday at 7:00 p.m.).

Kaimi Rocha

Rocha's Big Start: Kaimi Rocha (Fr., OH, Pukalani, Hawaii) has already made a big impact on the Whitworth volleyball team. The dynamic freshman was named the MVP of the NYU Labor Day Invitational and was also named to the Whitworth Invitational All-Tournament team. She is leading the team in kills (3.27 per set), is second in hitting percentage (.224) and has also been solid defensively, averaging 2.7 digs per set, which is third on the team among regular players. Ka'ipo Rocha (Fr., MB, Pukalani, Hawaii) has also been strong in the middle. After missing the first weekend of play due to injury, Ka'ipo now averages 2.1 kills and 0.70 blocks per set. Ka'ipo was also named to the Whitworth Invitational All-Tournament team.

Setter-Setter: Whitworth has been running a 6-2 offense since the beginning of the season, utilizing the skills of both Bree Riddle (Fr., S, Spokane, Wash.) and Jordon Hoffnagle (Fr., S, Spokane, Wash.). Both have played in all 65 sets this season (the only two Pirates to do so) with Riddle averaging 4.62 assists per set and Hoffnagle averaging 4.55 assists per set.

NWC Statistics : Several Pirates are listed among the NWC statistics leaders. Kaimi Rocha is fourth in kills per set (3.27) and seventh in hitting percentage (.224). Ka'ipo Rocha is sixth in hitting percentage (.228) and tenth in blocks per set (0.70).

Holly Tomlin (Sr., MB, Kirkland, Wash.) is seventh in blocks per set (0.82), while Bethany Castilleja (Sr., DS, Kennewick, Wash.) is third in digs per set (4.30).

Live Stats: Live stats of all home contests will be available beginning this weekend at the following link: http://www.whitworth.edu/Athletics/Teams/Volleyball/statistics/livestats/xlive.htm.

The Coach: Steve Rupe, currently in his tenth season as Pirate head coach, has served longer in this capacity than any coach in program history. Rupe has been named the Northwest Conference Coach of the Year twice (2001, 2002), AVCA Regional Coach of the Year once (2005) and has become the second-winningest coach in school history with a record of 142-92 (.607) over his first nine seasons. Under his direction, the Pirates have won three NWC titles and have advanced to the NCAA Division III regional finals twice (2002, 2005).

Coming up: Whitman comes into Wednesday's match looking for its first victory of the season. The Missionaries (0-15 overall, 0-6 NWC) challenged PLU by winning the first set, then fell 3-1 on Friday. Puget Sound defeated Whitman 3-0 on Saturday. Whitworth swept the Missionaries 3-0 during the Whitworth Invitational on September 6th.

Linfield (7-3 overall, 3-3 NWC) leads the conference in team hitting percentage (.224) and digs per set (18.45). The Wildcats dropped a 3-1 decision at George Fox last Friday, then swept Pacific at home on Saturday. Linfield is unbeaten (4-0) at home this season.