WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Jumping out to a first-set lead, the Linfield Wildcats couldn't sustain their early momentum and fell to the Whitman Blues 18-25, 25-23, 25-12, 25-18 Friday night at Sherwood Athletic Center.
 
Playing on the road against a Northwest Conference opponent for only the second time this season, Linfield was intending to bring a five-match losing skid to a halt. And in the early stages Friday it looked as though the 'Cats would do just that.
 
How it played out
In the first set, Linfield jumped out to an early lead, setting up Audrey Hyem for the kill that lifted the 'Cats past the Blues. But the Wildcats were unable to gain much traction after the first set. The Blues regrouped in the second set and went on to win each of the ensuing sets.
 
Adding up the stats
For the 'Cats, Darian Stedman and Brianna Sanford both delivered 10 kills, while Eryka Keoho also added nine. Kayla Magbaleta recorded 19 digs and Mattie Kelly aided the 'Cats with 20 assists and five digs. Destyni Grace chipped in with 15 assists and seven digs. As a team, the Wildcats outpointed the Blues in both kills and digs, but the effort was not enough to hinder the Blues.
 
Also aiding the Wildcats was Taylor Petersen, who added seven kills and three digs, and Hyem, who recorded five kills and three digs.
 
Blue lines
The Blues were led by Codie Conching's 13 kills and 11 digs. Anna Dawson added 32 assists and six digs, while Cherokee Washington recorded 12 digs and three assists.
Whitman was more accurate at the net, .192 to .173, recorded more blocks (9 to 7) and owned a 5-2 advantage in service aces.
 
Where they stand
With the loss, the Wildcats dipped to 8-6 overall and 2-5 in Northwest Conference action. Whitman improved to 4-8 and 4-3 against conference opponents. 
 
Coming up
The Wildcats remain in Washington for a Saturday match against the Whitworth Pirates at the Whitworth Fieldhouse starting at 5 p.m.