FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Pacific Volleyball delivered a fantastic performance to defeat Northwest Conference leaders Whitworth in four sets on Friday night. This is the Boxers' first win over the Pirates since 2015.
Whitworth had won the last 12 matches of the series coming into the night, but saw the streak snapped in its final regular season game. Pacific won three sets by a combined seven points to snatch the victory inside the Stoller Center.
Top Performers
- Mara Murphy posted her third consecutive game with 20 or more kills, racking up 22 to lead the team.
- Charlotte Powell hit an efficient .333 and was the only other Boxer in double-digits with 11 kills on the night.
- Danica Nelson was excellent on the defensive end with a team-high 22 digs.
- Shaianne Cambra recorded 43 assists and 16 digs in the senior's 15th double-double of the year.
How It Happened
Pacific raced out to an 8-4 advantage in the opening set, using back-to-back kills from Murphy to set the tone. Two consecutive kills from
Alison Brown extended the lead before Powell managed to string two kills together, handing the Boxers a 20-16 lead. Whitworth clawed within a point, making the score 22-21, but the Red and Black would hold on for the 25-23 win.
In set two, the Pirates controlled the pace from start-to-finish, jumping to an early 7-3 lead. Pacific cut the deficit to two points but a 5-1 scoring run gave the visitors the momentum they needed to cruise to the 25-16 victory, evening up the match at a set apiece.
Whitworth started the third set on a 3-0 run before the Boxers replied with four straight points to edge themselves out in front. The two teams would slog back-and-forth in a set that featured seven lead changes. The visitors held a 22-18 lead and after winning five consecutive points but Pacific showed resilience, mustering a 5-0 run of their own to regain the lead. Murphy closed things out with four kills to give her team the 25-23 win and 2-1 lead in the match.
Forest Grove's team made the most of their advantageous position against the conference leaders and rallied for an 8-3 lead to start the fourth frame. The set would begin to tighten in the closing stages but
Olivia Pratt and Murphy clutched up yet again, slamming three kills each to clinch the 3-1 victory.
What It Means
Pacific take down Whitworth for the first time since 2015. The Boxers now have the opportunity to jump into a tie for fifth place in the conference standings on the final day of the regular season.
The Pirates now need Puget Sound to lose tomorrow night for a chance to earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament. If the Loggers defeat Lewis & Clark on the road, the two teams will share the conference title, but UPS will head to the national tournament as they hold the tiebreaker.
Up Next
Pacific concludes the 2022 season tomorrow night at 6 p.m. inside the Stoller Center, hosting Whitman. It will be Senior Night in Forest Grove with seven Boxers receiving honors prior to first serve.
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