FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Visiting Whitworth used one of its best blocking matches of the season to sweep Pacific on Saturday night at the Stoller Center.

The Pirates won 25-13, 25-16, 25-19 to improve to 17-5 overall and 10-2 in the Northwest Conference with their tenth straight NWC win.  The Boxers fell to 6-14, 2-10.

Whitworth posted 11.0 team blocks to overpower Pacific.

"Our block was effective because we adjusted to their slower tempo offense and we were able to get up and over the net early," said Pirate head coach Katie Bodecker.

Whitworth hit .458 in the opening set to establish a quick tone to the match.  The Bucs opened a 10-3 lead on Elizabeth Ginley's service ace and extended the advantage to 20-10 on a kill by setter Maddye Dinsmore.  Nicole Leonard's kill ended the set at 25-13.

Leading 8-7 in the second set, Whitworth used a 6-0 run to take control.  Haley Vick's kill extended the Pirates' lead to 17-8 and the Pirates cruised to a two-set lead when Vick and Leonard combined for a block to finish the frame at 25-16.

The final set was the closest of the night as the hosts fought to avoid a sweep.  Hannah Smargiassi's kill gave the Boxers a 14-13 lead.  But Whitworth scored the next four points, three of which came on Pacific errors, and the Pirates never trailed again.  Brenna Bruil's kill ended the match in Whitworth's favor.

The Whitworth defense limited Pacific to a team hitting percentage of 0.011. 

"We did a great job of serving tough to get them out of system and limit their attack options," Bodecker said. "I thought we were focused tonight and played consistently throughout the match."

Bruil led the Pirates with ten kills and four block assists.  Leonard added eight kills, while Dinsmore dished 27 assists, had two aces and also was in on four blocks.  Mallorie Schoesler led all players with 13 digs.

Una Areta led the Boxers with eight kills.

Whitworth will host Willamette and Linfield next weekend in the final home contests of 2014.