MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – Going the distance in its second straight match, the Linfield Wildcats fell in five sets to the Puget Sound Loggers on Senior night at the Ted Wilson Gym. This match also marked the season finale for the Wildcats.
 
Seniors Lori Cimmiyotti and Leisa Eto played their final collegiate games on Saturday night and were honored with a pregame ceremony.
 
Linfield maintained the edge early on in the first set and extended its lead to 17-12 on a kill by Hannah Waterman.
 
The Loggers came back to take a 24-23 lead in the first set, but the Wildcats fought of the first set point on a kill by Megan Stanek and the Wildcats won the first set 27-25 on a kill by Raelynn Hammock.
 
Puget Sound broke the 5-5 dreadlock in the second set to lead 9-5 and won the last seven point of the set to tie the match at one with 25-13 win in the second set.
 
The third set was a similar story for the Loggers, who won took a 2-1 advantage winning five of the last six points, winning the set 25-18.
 
Linfield was not ready to end its season just yet and came back to win the fourth set, 25-23. The Loggers had a chance to stay in the set, but lost the set on a service error.
 
The Wildcats were playing their third fifth-set match in conference, they were 0-2 coming into Saturday night. The Loggers had the 14-8 advantage in the set, but the Wildcats were marching back winning three straight points before losing the match on a set error.
 
Regan Dean and Hammock had double-doubles for the Wildcats, Dean having 10 kills and 17 digs, while had 17 digs and 17 kills.
 
Linfield finishes the season 5-23 overall and 1-15 in conference play, which is last. Puget Sound finishes the season 15-13 overall and 10-6 in conference, four teams in the NWC finished with a record of 10-6, which is tied for second.
 
Aylea Dixon led the way with three aces and 34 assists, she finished in the top-six in both categories including first in aces per set at 0.57.
 
Maya Nakasone had 24 digs, which improved her season average to 4.21 digs per set, which is fifth in the NWC.
 
Both Dixon and Nakasone excelled in their freshmen seasons, finishing in top-five of NWC stats leaderboards.