WALLA WALLA, Wash. – After dropping the opening set, visiting Whitworth rolled to a 3-1 win over Whitman College in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Wednesday night in the Sherwood Center.

The Pirates (14-5 overall, 8-3 NWC) won 21-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-17 to move into sole possession of first place in the conference standings, if at least temporarily, one half game ahead of Puget Sound (7-3).

The Blues (7-12, 5-6), who were coming off a big win over Pacific Lutheran on Saturday, continued their hot play through the first set.  Whitman jumped to an 8-3 lead on an ace by Christina Boxberger.  The Blues still led 16-11 after a block by Lilli Thompson.  Whitworth fought back to tie the set 19-19 on a block from Abigail Hudson.  But Whitman finished on a 6-2 run, winning the set on a kill from Nicole Kelly.

Whitworth responded in the second set, going up 7-2 on Whitman's attack error. The Blues clawed back to an 11-11 tie with four straight points on a block and three Pirate errors.  Whitworth responded with five straight points, capped by Cassidy Franklin's kill.  An Ella Jimenez block made it 21-13 and Jaye Hodge won the set with a service ace.

The Pirates jumped out quickly again in the third set, leading 5-1 on a kill from Hodge and 11-6 on Whitman's attack error.  The Blues came back to within 11-10 before Whitworth used an 8-1 run to go up 19-12 after consecutive kills from Jimenez.  Whitman got back within 20-18 before Whitworth closed fast, winning on the Blues' service error.

The fourth set was tied 6-6 before Whitworth used a 5-0 run to take control.  Hodge served consecutive aces in the run.  Leading 16-14, the Pirates finished on a 9-3 run to win going away.  Jimenez had four kills and two blocks in the final set.

Hodge led Whitworth with 19 points on 13 kills, a career-high five aces and a block.  Jimenez finished with 17 points, netting 10 kills (.500 hitting), two aces and five blocks.  Maddie Lee added 10 kills and 15 digs.  Joelle Forbes (21) and Megan Lange (20) combined for 41 of Whitworth's 49 assists.

Whitworth swept the season series against the Blues and has won the last 11 contests between the schools.

Kelly had nine kills for Whitman, while Boxberger had seven kills and three blocks.

The Pirates will return to action on Saturday night at Willamette University.