WALLA WALLA, Wash.   A superb second set in which it never trailed wasn't quite enough Wednesday evening as host Whitman dropped a 3-1 decision to league-leading Whitworth University in a Northwest Conference volleyball match at the Sherwood Athletics Center. Megan Henry led Whitman's attack with 10 kills while Natalia Zea chipped in with eight kills and a game-best six blocks.

Whitman (10-13, 7-8 NWC) never got going in the opening set, trailing the Pirates (20-5, 14-1) by as many as 14 points before closing the deficit late in a 25-16 loss. But Whitman finally got things cranked up its second time back out on the floor.

A quick pair of kills from Henry started the second game off, giving Whitman its first lead of the night. Whitworth answered back with two points of its own but that would be the one and only tie in the set as Whitman pounded out a 25-19 win to even the match score at a game apiece.

The third game saw the momentum swing back the Pirates' way through the beginning of the match as they opened up a 16-6 advantage over Whitman. That lead would crumble, however, as the game wore on.

Unfortunately Whitman ran out of time in clawing its way back from that 10-point deficit, finally succumbing to Whitworth by a 25-23 count.

What would become the final game of the night was the most spirited, with four ties and a pair of lead changes, but the Pirates finally quieted Whitman's rallying cries to seal the match with a 25-19 victory.

Along with Henry's 10 and Zea's eight kills, Whitman picked up nine kills from Shae Kanakaole, who also added nine digs.

Codie Conching led all players in picking balls up off the floor, finishing the night with a match-high 30 to post a fifth consecutive match with 20 or more digs and her second of the season with at least 30.

Whitman will close out its season Friday at home against visiting Lewis & Clark College. The 7 p.m. match will be preceded by a brief ceremony to honor Whitman's three graduating seniors -- Breanna Mehling, Kanakaole and Zea.