SPOKANE, Wash. – The Whitman College women's volleyball team looked to get back to its winning ways but instead saw its losing streak run to three matches, falling at league leader Whitworth in Northwest Conference action on Wednesday. Set scores were 25-16, 25-22, 27-25.
 
Codie Conching and Kalli Dickey shared team-high honors for the Blues (6-9, 2-5 BWC) each with six kills with Conching adding 11 digs.
 
Emiko Kahler delivered a match-high 16 kills for the Pirates (12-5, 6-1 NWC) with Jessica Schmautz recording a double double with 13 kills and 18 digs.
 
The opening set saw Whitworth go on a 7-1 run and cruise to the one-set lead. A Sierra Myers kill evened the set at 8-8 but after a block and a kill from Lauren Budde the Pirates held a 22-13 lead.
 
Set two saw a different story early on as a pair of blocks and a kill from Megan Henry helped the Blues to an early 7-1 lead. Whitworth rallied to cut the advantage to one point, but again the Blues were up for the task, reeling off five straight points to take a 16-9 lead and the momentum. Whitman kept the Pirates at bay late in the set but saw the wheels come off when Whitworth closed with a 7-0 run to take a commanding two-set lead.
 
The Blues battled again in a tightly contested set three but eventually succumbed to the Pirates who completed the sweep. Back-to-back Dickey kills put her team up 16-9 but again Whitworth came storming back to tie the score. The teams traded points down the stretch with Whitman holding a set point after a Myers kill, but the Blues could not hold off their opponent who would complete the sweep.
 
Whitman returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 6 for a 6:00 p.m. match at Linfield.