McMINNVILLE, Ore. – A balanced team effort sparked an inspried Linfield Wildcats team past the Whitman Blues in four sets Friday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium. The scores were 25-20, 25-14, 24-26, 25-15.
Taylor Petersen pounded 12 kills without an error,
Darian Stedman delivered 11 kills and
Eryka Keoho provided eight more to help the Wildcats overpower the Blues in the penultimate match of the season for both clubs.
With six block assists of her own, Petersen and the Wildcats were tough as a pine knot at the net, recording 10 team blocks. Keoho totaled four rejections and
Lori Cimmiyotti and Stedman each chipped in with three stops to keep Whitman on its heels throughout the match.
Destyni Grace passed out 24 assists, dug eight balls and served up five aces to aid the Wildcats' cause.
Mattie Kelly had 18 assists, seven digs and a pair of aces in support. In all the 'Cats were crisp on the serve, picking up 14 aces on the night. In contrast, the Blues managed just four.
Linfield hit .157 at the net to Whitman's .051.
Wildcats Libero
Kayla Magbaleta scooped up 36 digs while adding two aces.
Taylor Souza also had a dozen digs off the bench.
Next
Saturday night marks not only the end of the 2017 season but the end of an era for Linfield volleyball. The Wildcats host Whitworth at 6 p.m. in what will be Coach
Shane Kimura's final match. The longtime Wildcats skipper is retiring, completing a 40-year career that has featured more than 660 wins.
