SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth University used a balanced offensive attack to sweep visiting Lewis & Clark 25-11, 25-23, 25-18 in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Friday night in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

The Pirates won their eighth in a row over the Pioneers to improve to 13-9 overall and 10-3 in the NWC.  L&C fell to 2-18, 1-12.

The Pirates hit .215 and needed only 34 kills to claim the sweep.  Whitworth was able to take advantage of 30 attack errors by Lewis & Clark. 

"We did a good job of playing with energy tonight," said Whitworth head coach Kati Bodecker.  "It was fun to see all of our seniors out there playing together and I was glad we were able to finish in three sets."

The Pirates had to hold off a Pioneer rally in the second set.  Whitworth had taken a 19-9 lead after an L&C error.  But the Pioneers went on a 14-5 run to get within 24-23.  The Pirates finally won the set on a kill by Cara Crosby.

Emiko Kahler led the Bucs with eight kills, while Corinne Bell had seven kills and hit .400 in the match.  Bell was also in on three block assists.  Taylor Wicht totaled 13 digs.

Kortney Meyer led L&C with six kills and three service aces.  The Pioneers finished the match with a  negative .018 hitting percentage.

Whitworth will host George Fox on Saturday night.  The Pirates will recognize seven seniors prior to the match.  Those seniors are Bell, Crosby, Alexa Lindgren, Chloe Luedecker, Gracie Meiners, Cassandra Mendoza and Wicht.