By Alli Kieckbusch– Student Writer

SPOKANE, Wash.– Whitworth University concluded the 2018 volleyball season on Saturday night with a sweep of visiting Linfield (25-9, 25-10, 25-10). The Bucs finish in second place in the Northwest Conference with a 13-3 record (19-8 overall).  Linfield finishes at 6-18 overall, 1-15 NWC.

The Pirates handily took set one, allowing only 9 Wildcat points. Jessica Schmautz pounded back-to-back kills to begin the match. Addy Woolery served three aces in a row to start a 7-0 run for Whitworth, putting them ahead 13-2. A big kill from Madison Douglas stretched the lead to 18-3, and another from Emiko Kahler finished off the stanza.

Whitworth had a 7-0 rally in the second set, two of the points on Douglas kills. Iris Tinkhonov and Lauren Budde had consecutive kills, followed by three Wildcat errors, that put the Pirates up 20-7. Schmautz finished the set with a kill.

The Bucs forced six errors in a row to start the final set, followed by a kill from Tinkhonov. Schmautz pounded another kill to give Whitworth a 12-6 lead, and two more from Kahler stretched it to 17-7. A final block from Tinkhonov sealed the Pirate win.

Douglas finished the night hitting .583 (7-0-12), and Schmautz led Whitworth with 10 kills. White dished 28 assists and had 13 digs.  Addy Woolery served four of the Pirates' 11 aces.

Linfield's Audrey Hyem had 4 kills, and Regan Dean added 10 digs.

The Pirates were able to recognize their four dedicated seniors prior to the match and send them out with a dominating victory.