FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- For the second straight match Whitworth bounced back from an early deficit to win a key Northwest Conference volleyball contest on the road. Tonight the visiting Pirates won 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-15 at Pacific (Ore.).

Whitworth improved to 14-5 overall and 9-1 in the NWC. Combined with Pacific Lutheran's loss at Lewis & Clark, the Pirates now hold a two-game lead over both PLU (7-3) and Puget Sound (7-3) in the NWC standings.

Alexa Block came out on fire for Pacific (12-7, 6-4) in the opening set. She had six kills while leading the Boxers to a narrow opening-set win. But Block left the match in the first set and was unable to return.

Whitworth took advantage, rallying from an early 12-9 deficit to win the second set 25-22. Amanda Grumbach had five of her kills in that frame, including the set-winner.

Leading 12-11 in the third set, Whitworth went on a quick 6-1 run to take control. Bree Riddle had a kill and an ace for the Bucs. Kaimi Rocha led the team with four kills in the set and finished it with an ace.

The Pirates closed out the match with a flourish. After Pacific rallied to tie the fourth set 15-15, Whitworth scored the final ten points of the set to win going-away. Jalana White had six of her seven kills in the final frame.

Whitworth hit .291 as a team. Kaimi Rocha had a match-high 16 kills and tied for match-high honors with 17 digs. Grumbach had 13 kills and 17 digs, while Ka'ipo Rocha added 11 kills and two blocks. Riddle had 47 assists.

Kelsey Takashima led Pacific with 10 kills and a match-high five blocks, while Mariah McHolland added nine kills. The Boxers hit .153 as a team.

Whitworth will return home to host Linfield and Willamette next weekend.