NEWBERG, Ore. – Cassandra Mendoza's 13 kills led visiting Whitworth to a 25-21, 25-15, 25-16 win at George Fox on Friday night in a Northwest Conference women's volleyball match.

The Pirates improved to 16-6 overall and 10-2 in the NWC, strengthening their hold on first place in the league standings.  The Bruins fell to 5-14, 2-9.

The first set was tight until the late going.  There were five ties and two lead changes over the first half of the frame.  Consecutive Whitworth attack errors allowed George Fox to pull within 18-16.  But the Pirates responded with three straight points, including a kill by Karina Lees, to go ahead 21-16.  The last of Mendoza's seven kills ended in the set ended it in Whitworth's favor.

George Fox was still as close as 16-13 in the second set after a Pirate pass went awry.  But Whitworth closed the set on a 9-2 run that included three kills by Haley Vick, who was able to return to the lineup for the first time in two weeks.  Vick's final kill ended the set for the Pirates.

Whitworth crushed any hope for a Bruin rally by outscoring George Fox 12-1 to open the third set.  Mendoza accounted for four of those points with two kills and two aces.  The Bruins were able to close within 20-15 after a kill by Erin Sprowls.  But Whitworth finished off George Fox with a 5-1 run.

Nicole Leonard added eight kills and 12 digs for the Pirates, while Brenna Bruil had seven kills and was in on two blocks.  Maddye Dinsmore dished 36 assists and served a pair of aces as the Bucs finished the match with 11 service aces.  Mallorie Schoesler ended with a match-high 15 digs.

Sprowls led George Fox with nine kills.

Whitworth will return to action next Friday at home against Pacific (Ore.).