SALEM, Ore. – A solid start didn't translate into a satisfying finish Friday night inside Cone Field House. Linfield's Wildcats began with a 1-0 lead in their Northwest Conference volleyball match, only to watch in horror as the Bearcats rallied to take the next three sets and the match. The scores were 18-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-21.
 
How it played out
Led by Taylor Petersen's four kills and three block assists, Linfield began the night hitting .290 at the net in an efficient first set that saw the 'Cats commit just three attack errors. Eryka Keoho and Brianna Sanford both added three kills to the Linfield cause.
 
But the hitting mistakes compounded after that, with nine in the second set and seven and eight more coming in the third and fourth frames, respectively.
 
The Bearcats built some momentum in Set 2, a frame in which both teams generated as many attack errors (9) as kills. Petersen and Sanford both provided three kills.
 
Kendall Fox totaled four of her team-best 12 kills in the third set, a four-point Bearcats win. Keoho added four of her eight kills and Kayla Magbaleta dug five balls, part of her 17-dig night.
 
Petersen did all she could to turn the tide in the deciding set, logging six kills and three solo blocks plus an assist, but the Wildcats were saddled with eight attack errors to close the match.
 
Linfield outblocked Willamette 15-9 and had more service aces, 9-5. Arianna Kahn and Dreux Bertolucci both delivered four kills for Willamette to clinch the win.
 
A look at the stats
Petersen finished with a season-high 16 kills and 12 blocks (8 solo, 4 assists). Sanford added 12 kills and two total blocks. Mattie Kelly distributed 15 assists while adding two service aces and eight digs. Destyni Grace produced 14 assists, two aces and four digs.

What it means
The loss plunged Linfield to eighth place in the NWC standings with a 2-7 record. The Wildcats are 8-8 overall. Willamette improved its league record to 3-6. The Bearcats are 6-11 overall.
 
Next
Linfield heads to Portland for a Saturday match at Lewis & Clark. The Wildcats and Pioneers square off at Pamplin Sports Center at 7 p.m.