SALEM, Ore. – Whitworth University clinched at least a tie for first place in the final 2024 Northwest Conference volleyball standings with a three-set sweep at Willamette University on Saturday night at Cone Fieldhouse.
The 23rd-ranked Pirates improved to 22-2 overall and 14-0 in the NWC with a 25-16, 25-21, 25-17 win over the Bearcats (7-15, 6-8), who had pushed the Bucs to five sets earlier in the season in Spokane.
Willamette jumped out fast in the opening set, taking a 9-4 lead on a service ace from Alayna Hughes. Whitworth responded with a 5-0 run to tie the set 9-9 on a kill from Abigail Hudson. After trading points, the set was tied 12-12 before the Pirates closed the game by outscoring the Bearcats 13-4. Amblessed Okemgbo had nine kills in the opening set and ended it with the ninth kill.
Whitworth jumped ahead 11-6 in the second set after a block by Lauren Kremer and Lindsey Short. Willamette scored four straight to get within 11-10 and the Bearcats hung close through the rest of the game. The Pirates led 23-21 before getting the final two points on a Willamette attacking error and Olivia Paul's ace.
After the Bearcats scored the opening point of the third set, Whitworth tallied five straight and never trailed again. A block from Short and Cassidy Franklin made it 9-3 and the Pirates kept a comfortable lead the rest of the way.
Okemgbo led Whitworth with 14 kills and hit .370 in the match. Ella Jimenez had 13.0 points on nine kills, three aces and a solo block and led the team with a dozen digs. Abigail Hudson added seven kills. The Bucs hit .212 as Josephine Thompson (17), Megan Lange (12) and Taylor Miche (6) combined for 35 assists.
Olivia Cadien and Katey Cramer had eight kills apiece for Willamette, but the Bearcats hit only .028 as a team. Kaitlyn Westby had four aces.
Whitworth will close out the regular season next weekend by hosting Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran, the two teams tied for second place in the NWC standings heading into tonight's action.
