Excitement, rivalry and explosiveness took place inside the Sherwood Athletic Center volleyball court during “The Battle of the Whits” between the Whitman Blues and Whitworth Pirates on Oct. 21, 2025. Unfortunately for the Blues, the other “Whit” came out on top in four sets in the team’s 11th Northwest Conference matchup of the season. The loss dropped Whitman to 6-5 in conference play and 7-11 overall, while Whitworth (9-2 in conference play, 15-6 overall) solidified its hold on second place in the NWC conference. 

Despite a slow start to the first set, the Blues steadily but surely took control. First-year middle blocker Kendall Herman initiated the Blues’ first kill against Whitworth, beginning what would be an intense, close-fought battle for victory. Throughout the course of the set, the Blues stood their ground, especially with the help of outside hitter Arina Gushchina, whose kills shot out of a cannon to break the Whitworth defense. Blockers from Whitworth would prepare themselves, yet to no avail.

The Blues repeatedly attacked Whitworth with emphatic spikes; Gushchina led the charge with 12 kills. Not only were the Blues generating kills, but their defense was stout, with first-year setter Moana Massey flying around the court to prevent the ball from hitting the floor and completing 19 digs for the team. First-year outside hitter Addie Belt also contributed tremendously, executing 10 kills, three blocks and 19 digs. The Blues fought fiercely and were the embodiment of power in the game’s opening set, topping Whitworth 25-21.

In the second set of the game, however, the Blues’ fortunes shifted. While it included some highlight moments for the Blues, including Belt’s emphatic and crowd-energizing block of Whitworth’s lead hitter, Amblessed Okemgbo, Whitworth largely dominated the set for a final score of 16-25.

Though it wasn’t the outcome the Blues wanted, Belt felt good about the improvements the team made on their reads of Whitworth hitters.

“We’ve been working hard on learning how to read hitters and specifically shutting them down,” Belt said. “It was really important, especially from the last time we played them, to have a lot of improvement and focus on the little things.” 

Whitworth successfully tamed the Blues in the second set, but things weren’t so easy the rest of the way. Gushchina, whose torrid stretch of kills had grinded to a halt in the second set, revved up once again, dismantling Whitworth’s iron wall front line. 

“I was getting a little frustrated,” Gushchina said. “Then my coaches and teammates of the same position began telling me to tip the ball around the block because there were empty spots. I just looked for empty spots, the deep corners, short over the block.” 

Gushchina changed her style of game to match Whitworth’s rhythm, and the scoreboard changed to reflect her success. 

“[I] found different shots to do instead of slamming and hitting hard,” Gushchina said.

Both teams adapted to each other’s styles, playing a back-and-forth battle for the leading point. In a crushing final stretch, Whitman fell two points short, losing the third set 23-25. 

During the fourth and final set, the Blues kept things close with timely spikes and blocks. Whitman persisted until the very last point of the game against their long-standing rival and tough competitor. Once again, though, the Blues fell short in the last set, 25-18. 

Despite the outcome of the game, the Blues can hang their hat on the way they played for each other. 

“I am pretty proud of our team, and I thought it went really well,” Belt said. “When we’re playing, we always try to focus on playing for each other [and]not playing selfish. Instead of focusing on our own mistakes or when we’re down, we’re focusing on doing something for each other or uplifting each other.” 

Gushchina added that not every play has to be a knockout blow.

“After I got blocked a few times, I definitely felt a bit down and stopped swinging as hard,” Gushchina said. “Not every hit has to be a kill. Recycling the ball also works well, playing to live. Recycling the ball over the net and just playing defense, defending the ball and then attacking again as hard as you can.” 

The Blues’ ability to play with resilience and selflessness as a team illustrated beautiful characteristics of volleyball despite their loss. With five games left in NWC play, Whitman clings to fourth place in the NWC standings — the last eligible playoff spot.