Box Score By Alli Kieckbusch, student writer –
SPOKANE, Wash.– Whitworth University beat Whitman College 25-16, 25-22, 27-25 on Wednesday in a night of comebacks at the Fieldhouse. The Pirates (12-5 overall, 6-1 NWC) had 49 kills to the Blues' (6-9, 2-5) 29.
Erin White's kill gave Whitworth a 13-9 lead and started a Pirates' run. A big block by Lauren Budde and Iris Tinkhonov forced a Blues error, stretching the lead to 17-12. A kill from Jessica Schmautz concluded the stanza, rewarding the Bucs a 9-point win in the first game.
Whitman jumped on the Pirates early with a 7-1 start to the second set. A kill from Madison Douglas brought the Bucs back within one (10-9), but the Blues continued to lead for the majority of the set. Whitman led 22-17 when Whitworth went on an 8-0 run to clinch the second set. Two of those points were from Emiko Kahler, who would finish with a game-high 16 kills.
A kill from Jessica Schamutz started the third set. The score remained close until the Blues pulled away to an 18-12 lead. However, a kill from Budde and another 8-1 Bucs rally moved them ahead 20-19. The teams traded points until the Pirates took the match after a kill from Douglas.
Whitworth's Schmautz, NWC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season, finished the match with 13 kills. Budde contributed a .438 kill percentage, and Erin White added 42 assists.
Whitman's Kalli Dickey and Codie Conching each had 6 kills, and Tate Cadang had 12 assists.
The Pirates will head to McMinnville, Oregon on Friday, October 5th to play Linfield at 7:00 pm.
