SPOKANE, Wash. -- Whitworth used a .315 team hitting percentage to sweep 17th-ranked Puget Sound in a key Northwest Conference volleyball match on Friday night at the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

The Pirates (10-4 overall, 5-0 NWC) defeated the visiting Loggers (11-2, 3-2) 25-19, 25-17, 25-19, handing nationally-ranked Puget Sound its second loss in as many matches.

Kaimi Rocha pounded ten kills and Jalana White hit .667 to lead Whitworth to a sharp .315 hitting average against a very strong UPS defense.

Whitworth jumped to a 7-3 lead in the first set on a kill by Ka'ipo Rocha, then extended the lead to 17-10 after Bree Riddle's service ace. The Pirates led 24-16 before Puget Sound held off the set-deciding point with three straight Logger points, including an ace by Jackie Harvey. But a ball-handling error finally gave the set to Whitworth. Ka'ipo Rocha had four kills in the frame for the Pirates, while Harvey had five for the Loggers.

The Bucs kept the momentum into the second set, jumping to a quick 5-1 lead following another kill by Ka'ipo Rocha. The Loggers got back to within 8-6 after a kill by Jaime Ecklund. But Whitworth retook control and led 13-7 following an ace by Whitney Santos. The Pirates steadily pulled away before they won the set after a kill by White. Kristine Kardell, Amanda Grumbach and Ka'ipo Rocha all had three kills apiece in the set. Stephanie O'Connor had to for UPS.

The final set was the most competitive of the night. The Loggers hit .333, but were outdone by the Pirates hitting .400. There were five ties through the early going, the final coming at 9-9 after a Whitworth attack error. Then the Pirates went on a 6-2 run to take some control of the set at 15-11. However Puget Sound was still within 20-17 after a kill by Brynn Blickenstaff. The Bucs then scored three straight, including a kill by Kaimi Rocha, on the way to finishing out the set on a 5-2 run.

Kaimi Rocha hit .269 while recording ten kills. Kardell's .667 percentage came on eight kills with no errors. Ka'ipo Rocha also finished with eight kills and was in on three block assists. Riddle dished 35 assists and Jordon Hoffnagle led Whitworth with 14 digs.

Blickenstaff led Puget Sound with a match-high 12 kills, while Harvey finished with eight kills and 10 digs. Erica Greene had 30 assists and Nicolette Reynaud was part of three block assists.

Whitworth will host 20th-ranked Pacific Lutheran on Saturday night, while Puget Sound travels to take on Whitman in Walla Walla.