Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Whitworth closed out its participation at the Transylvania Invitational with a dramatic come-from-behind win against Texas Lutheran and a hard-fought loss to the host school in the tournament finale.

After going 3-1 in the tournament, the Pirates conclude the non-conference schedule 6-2 against challenging opposition.  Whitworth turns its attention to Northwest Conference play next weekend at Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound (Sept. 16-17).

The Pirates rallied from a two-sets-to-none deficit against TLU, including a 25-15 loss in the second frame.  Whitworth used an 8-0 run early in the third to spark a 20-25, 15-25, 25-19, 31-29, 15-13 win over the Bulldogs.  The Pirates held off match point serves by TLU in the fourth set at 26-25 and 27-26 before winning the frame.  Whitworth never trailed in the final set, and it was tied only once (8-8). Maddie Lee had 23 kills and hit .226 to lead the Pirate offense.  Ella Jimenez had 11 kills and hit .733, while Jaye Hodge added ten kills and two service aces.  Cassidy Franklin had five blocks (2 solo, 3 assists).  Megan Lange dished 32 assists and Joelle Forbes had 21 for the Bucs, who hit .191 in the match.

Whitworth ran out of gas against Transylvania, falling 25-16, 25-16, 19-25, 25-14.  Lee had 13 kills, Jimenez 8 and Franklin 7.  Franklin also served four aces and had three blocks.  Jimenez led the team with four blocks.  The Pirates hit only .140 as a team.  Transylvania also went 3-1 at its tournament after falling to TLU 3-2 in its opener yesterday.