CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Whitworth volleyball team dropped a pair of matches at the Pacific Coast Classic as the Pirates opened the 2013 season. After a 3-0 loss to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Whitworth (0-2) rebounded to take the first set from No. 10 Cal Lutheran before falling 3-1 in the match.

"We played really well," Whitworth head coach Kati Bodecker said. "We still have some areas that we need to improve on, but I was really pleased with the effort that I saw."

The Pirates return to Pacific Coast Classic action at 10:15 am Saturday morning. Whitworth will take on Whittier in the early game, followed by La Verne at 12:00 pm.

Match 1 – Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 3, Whitworth 0
The Pirates fell in straight sets (25-17, 25-22, 30-28) to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (1-0) to open the tournament. Despite falling in the first set, the Pirates hit .205 with 10 kills. The third set showed improvement, with the Pirates hitting .250 on 14 kills as Whitworth forced the set into extra points before the Athenas were able to claim the victory.

Senior Jalana White had a game-high 16 kills to lead the pirates and finished the game with a .265 hitting percentage. Sophomore Maddye Dinsmore served up two aces for the Pirates and had 32 assists.

The Athenas were led by Regina Mullen, who had 14 kills on a .343 hitting percentage. Hilary Bruegl had 34 assists and three aces. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps' hitting percentage fell in each set, going down to .140 in the final set.

Match 2—No. 10 Cal Lutheran 3, Whitworth 1 
Whitworth was able to claim the first set with a 25-19 victory against No. 10 Cal Lutheran (1-0), but the Regals stormed back to take the next three sets 25-14, 25-17, 25-11. In the opening set, Whitworth took advantage of Cal Lutheran's eight attack errors and 0.075 hitting percentage while the Pirates hit .350 with 10 kills.

Jalana White again led the Pirates with 10 kills and two solo blocks. Senior Kristine Kardell joined White with two solo blocks in addition to her eight kills and two service aces. Sophomore Nicole Leonard had 12 digs, a solo block and an ace while Maddy Dinsmore had 26 assists and an ace.

Cal Lutheran was led by Pua Mo'okini, who had 12 kills, 15 digs and five blocks. Kylie McLogan had 11 kills, 12 digs and three aces, while Allie Eason also recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs. The Regals recorded 15 kills with just one error in the fourth set for a .636 hitting percentage.