THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Whitworth volleyball team closed out its non-conference schedule with a split during its second day at the Cal-Lu-Fornia Invitational on Saturday at Cal Lutheran University.
The Pirates defeated Pomona-Pitzer, but fell to nationally-ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps to go 8-2 against non-conference foes in the 2024 schedule. The Bucs finished 2-1 at the tournament in California. Whitworth will open Northwest Conference play at home next weekend against Pacific (Ore.) and George Fox.
Whitworth defeated Pomona-Pitzer 25-13, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21 on Saturday afternoon. Ella Jimenez had 12 kills, five service aces (a career-high) and four block assists for a team-high 19 points. Lauren Kremer added 16.5 points with 13 kills (.417) and seven block assists. Amblessed Okemgbo finished with 10 kills (.500) and two block assists (11 points). The Pirates were dominant at the net on defense with 15 team blocks. Josephine Thompson (22) and Megan Lange (18) combined for 40 of the Bucs' 43 assists. Taylor Miche had 17 digs. Pomona-Pitzer dropped to 5-4.
Whitworth lost to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 25-19, 25-22, 25-20 in the tournament finale. The Athenas (6-3) hit .272 as a team to the Pirates' .232. Whitworth was hurt by 10 service errors. Okemgbo was the only Pirate to reach double figures in points (12.5) with 10 kills, one ace and three block assists. Jimenez, Lindsey Short and Cassidy Franklin all had seven kills apiece. Thompson (14) and Lange (12) combined for 26 of the 35 assists. Miche led with 13 digs.
