WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Whitman College women's volleyball team took the Sherwood Center floor for the first time in three weeks but it wouldn't be a welcome home party as the Blues fell victim to a Northwest Conference sweep at the hands of Pacific (Ore.) on Friday night. Set scores were 25-18, 25-22, 25-21.

Codie Conching had a team-high six kills to go along with seven digs with Claire McCarthy adding a team-best nine digs. Jordan Zweifel delivered a match-high 15 kills for Pacific (15-6, 8-3 NWC) with Haley Walz contributing a match-high 14 digs.

Pacific opened the match scoring the first seven points. The Blues (7-12, 3-8 NWC) would navigate their way back in though. Block assists from Kalli Dickey and Cali Anderson stemmed the tide and shaved the lead to 13-8. The momentum was short-lived as a Morgan Mendicino kill pushed the lead to eight points at 17-9. Undaunted, Whitman rallied and, after a pair of kills and a block from Sierra Myers, cut the lead to just one point but the Boxers held on for the set one win.

Set two saw a better start from the Blues as a pair of Brooke Randall kills led to an early three point lead. The momentum would quickly turnaround however as the Blues went on a 5-1 run to take the lead then later extended the advantage to 19-12 off a Mendicino ace. Whitman rallied to take a late 22-21 lead but after back-to-back kills from Mendicino and a set-clinching kill by Zweifel, Pacific took a 2-0 match lead.

The Blues would remain competitive in their effort to stave off the sweep but in the end would come up short. Whitman led by a point in set three at 15-14 but saw Pacific go on a 6-1 spurt and complete the sweep.

The Blues return to action Saturday to cap their quick weekend homestand with a 5:00 p.m. match against George Fox.