SPOKANE, Wash. -
Kenzie Martinez and
Nicole Kelly had match-highs of 12 kills and 12 digs, respectively, but it couldn't guide the Whitman College women's volleyball team past Whitworth, falling to the Pirates in four sets in Northwest Conference action on Wednesday night. Set scores were 25-15, 25-17, 16-25, 25-21.
Ella Jimenez (12 kills) and Taylor Miche (12 digs) paced the Bucs (8-7, 5-2 NWC) who were a bit better than the Blues (3-11, 2-5 NWC) in most statistical categories.
Whitworth was dominant in winning the first two sets. The Bucs had a pair of 4-0 runs early in the opening set to help build an early lead. Cassidy Franklin posted back-to-back kills in the first run, then Jimenez got in on two blocks later in the set to help her team to a 12-4 lead. The Bucs led by as many as nine points before coasting to the win.
Set two saw more of the same as Whitworth went on a 9-1 run to open up a 13-5 lead. The Blues did hang around late in the set however. Lola Folk served back-to-back aces, and Kelly and Martinez both recorded kills to shave the deficit to six points. It wouldn't be enough, however, as the Bucs pulled away for the two-set lead.
Whitman showed life with a dominant set three win. The Blues ran off six unanswered points midway through the set, half of which came from Kelly aces. Back-to-back Martinez kills extended the lead to seven points, and later a Kelly kill made it an 18-11 score. Bella Vickers had a pair of kills down the stretch to put the Pirates away.
The rally fell short in set four as Whitworth took care of business and closed out the match.
Whitman closes out the week with a Saturday, Oct. 7 match at Linfield. Start time is set for 6:00 p.m.
#GoWhitman
