OSHKOSH, Wis. – Whitworth rallied to defeat previously unbeaten North Central, but fell to 8th-ranked Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Friday at the Mary Peterson Volleyball Invitational.
The Pirates (4-1) will complete their weekend in Wisconsin with matches against Wisconsin Stevens-Point and Lakeland on Saturday.
Whitworth rallied for a 25-18, 21-25, 23-25, 25-21, 15-13 win over North Central (2-1) in the tournament's first match. The Pirates led 15-9 in the third set before the Cardinals rallied to take a 2-1 lead. Whitworth trailed 18-12 in the fourth set and appeared on its way to a loss, but caught fire to outscore North Central 13-3 the rest of the way. The Pirates led 14-11 in the final set before the Cardinals got within a point. A North Central attack went long, giving Whitworth the win.
Ella Jimenez had 18 kills two blocks and an ace for a team-high 21 points. She also led the squad with 15 digs. Lindsey Short had nine kills and two blocks, while Amblessed Okemgbo had ten kills. Josephine Thompson (22) and Megan Lange (20) combined for 44 assists to lead the offensive attack.
The Pirates never got untracked offensively against the Titans in Friday's nightcap, falling 25-13, 25-20, 25-18. Whitworth fell behind 18-5 in the opening game and ended the set with a -0.079 hitting percentage. The Bucs played better in the second frame, hitting .211, but could not stay with the hosts. Oshkosh used a 7-1 run in the third set to turn a 7-6 deficit into a 13-8 lead.
Jimenez had four kills, three aces and a block to lead the team with eight points. Okemgbo had seven kills, while Abigail Hudson had six kills and two block assists for seven points. Taylor Miche had 17 digs and five assists.
