FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Setter Erin White's dump on the final play of the match found the floor to cap a dramatic five-set comeback for visiting Whitworth over Pacific University of Oregon on Saturday night in the Stoller Center.

The Pirates (15-5 overall, 9-1 NWC) rallied from two sets behind for a 18-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-15, 19-17 victory over the Boxers (11-9, 5-5).  Whitworth holds on to sole possession of first place in the Northwest Conference volleyball standings.

Brenna Bruil had 13 kills and was in on four blocks to lead the Pirate victory.  Emiko Kahler added a dozen kills and 24 digs.  Lauren Budde also had 12 kills and four block assists.  Whitworth hit .209 as a team and survived a bad serving night.  The Bucs had only one service ace and gave away 12 points in service errors.

Whitworth committed 11 attack errors while dropping the first two sets.  The Pirates would commit only nine total attack errors over the final three sets of the match.

White had a big night for the Bucs, finishing with 44 assists and 10 digs.  She was also dangerous at the net, getting eight kills and hitting .538. 

In spite of the momentum that Whitworth built in a dominating fourth set victory, the Pirates found themselves trailing 9-5 just over halfway through the final frame.  But a 6-2 run allowed the Bucs to tie the set at 11-11.  The teams traded the next ten points until Hayley Vick's kill gave Whitworth consecutive points and a 16-15 lead.  The teams would then trade the next five sideouts as Pacific held off three match-points.  After a back-and-forth rally, White saw an opportunity against an unguarded net and Pacific could not defend the attack.

Karlee Duncan and Tiare Kaopua shared match-high honors with 15 kills apiece for the Boxers.  Pacific hit .120 as a team.

Whitworth will return home to host Linfield and Willamette next Friday and Saturday in the Fieldhouse.