MCMINNVILLE, Ore. — Regan Dean drove home 16 kills to help push the Linfield Wildcats past the Lewis & Clark Pioneers Saturday at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
Once getting their feet under them in the second set, Linfield went on to blow past Lewis & Clark, 24-26, 32,30, 25-14, 25-11.
 
How it happened
The Pioneers notched 14 kills as a team in the first set alone, jumping out to an early first-set lead. But it was the Wildcats who prevailed in the second —and arguably the most important — set. Audrey Hyem smashed down two consecutive kills to lift the Wildcats past the Pioneers in a 32-30 second-set victory.
 
Recovering from a slow start, the Wildcats garnered momentum from their second-set win and delivered 10 service aces.
 
In the third set, the 'Cats continued to assert their dominance, easily sealing a nine-point set victory. Capturing an early lead in the fourth and final set, Linfield refused to slow its assault on the way to clinching the match's outcome.
 
Linfield ledger
Darian Stedman recorded 17 kills, nine digs and two service aces to aid the Wildcats. Eryka Keoho also added nine kills and three blocks assists and three digs.
 
Mattie Kelly contributed 22 assists and two digs. Destyni Grace recorded 20 assists, nine digs and four service aces. Kayla Magbaleta scooped up 24 digs, had five assists and one service ace.
 
Lewis & Clark lowdown
As a team, the Pioneers recorded 42 assists and 74 digs. Mikayla Lopez contributed 33 assists and 9 digs, while Emma Contreras added 12 kills, 15 digs and 3 blocks for the Pioneers, but their effort did not impede the Wildcats.
 
Saturday's win is part of a modest two-game NWC win streak for the Wildcats, who improved to 8-1 and 2-0 in the NWC.
 
The Pioneers fall to 1-8, 0-2 in NWC action.
 
Coming up
The Wildcats return to action Friday against Pacific Lutheran. The match, to be contested at Ted Wilson Gymnasium, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.