FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Strong hitting and aggressive defense lifted the Whitworth University volleyball team over Pacific University in straight sets (25-15, 25-17, 25-16) in Northwest Conference action at Stoller Center Saturday evening.

"I thought our team did a better job of staying united and we worked hard on the defensive end," Whitworth head coach Kati Bodecker said.

Whitworth (9-7, 3-1 NWC) went on a 5-0 run on kills from sophomore Nicole Leonard and junior Tori LaBrie after Pacific (Ore.) (2-9, 1-3 NWC) scored the first point of the night on a kill from Una Areta. The Pirates continued to roll, going up 12-3 after senior Anna Buck served up three consecutive aces. Una Areta pulled the Boxers within four, 17-13, but senior Jalana White responded with a kill of her own to get the Pirates back in control. Leonard knocked down a pass from sophomore Izze Ginley to close the set 25-15 for the Pirates.

Though the second set was closer on the scoreboard, Whitworth maintained control of the pace during the set. Senior Kristine Kardell killed a pass from sophomore Maddye Dinsmore to close the set 25-17 to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead in the match.

Whitworth has struggled when holding a 2-0 advantage going into the third set. Pacific (Ore.) jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the set, but Whitworth responded with an 8-1 run, forcing a Boxer timeout. The Pirates did not let up after the break, as Leonard and Kardell combined for five straight kills to distance the teams. Leading 20-11 after a Kardell kill, the Pirates forced the Boxers to use another timeout, but Whitworth was determined to close out the match. Sophomore Jacqueline Brennan closed the set by hitting down a pass from sophomore Shawna Korshavn to give Whitworth the victory.

Whitworth picked up its first three set win in Northwest Conference play while hitting .217 on the night and recording matching hitting percentages of .250 in the first and third sets. Pacific (Ore.), playing without the conference leader in kills per set Marie Rewick, hit just .033, with a .000 hitting percentage in the second set.

"It was an outstanding team effort tonight. Any time you can win on the road it is a big accomplishment. I'm proud of how we responded," Bodecker said.

Nicole Leonard led the Pirates with a double-double, recording 11 kills, 18 digs and an ace, while hitting .294 for the match. Kristine Kardell, who hit .600 for the match, and senior Briauna Stadeli, who hit .348, joined Leonard with the double-figure kills, each adding 10 kills for Whitworth, while Maddye Dinsmore dished out 34 assists. Anna Buck served up a match-high four aces. Stadeli also had four blocks for the Pirates.

Una Areta led the Boxers with nine kills, while Jamie Steach handed out 15 assists. Becky Sheller had 17 digs and an ace for Pacific (Ore.).

Next up, Whitworth hosts No. 14 Puget Sound and No. 16 Pacific Lutheran in Whitworth Fieldhouse. The Pirates face the Loggers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 4, and then take on the Lutes at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 5.