GEORGETOWN, Texas – The Whitworth University volleyball team found its footing with a pair of dominating wins on Saturday at the Southwestern University Fall Invitational.

The Pirates (3-1) swept host Southwestern in their first match and then closed the tournament with a 3-1 win over Hardin-Simmons. 

Emiko Kahler had 13 kills, nine digs and four block assists in Whitworth's 25-14, 25-19, 25-17 victory over Southwestern, also known as the Pirates.  Whitworth hit .227 as a team, including six kills from Abby Wolverton.  Saylor Anderson (16) and Joelle Forbes (10) combined for 26 assists.  Kiana Vandaele had 12 digs to lead the defense.

Elleanna McGown had 10 kills to lead Southwestern (2-2).

The Pirates dropped the first set to Hardin-Simmons (Texas) before rolling to a 23-25, 25-12, 25-21, 25-17 victory over the Cowgirls (1-3).  Madison Douglas had 11 kills while hitting .500 with only one error in 20 attempts.  Iris Tikhonov was nearly as dominant with nine kills, a .389 hitting percentage and three block assists.  Anderson (21) and Forbes (17) combined for 38 kills, while Vandaele had 22 digs.  Danielle Tang had eight service aces to go along with seven kills, leading the Bucs with 16 total points.

Kailey Currington led HSU with 15 kills.

Whitworth returns to action next Saturday with a pair of matches at Whitman College in Walla Walla.  The Pirates will take on Lewis-Clark State (3:00 pm) and the Blues (5:00 pm) in non-conference match ups.