McMINNVILLE, Ore. – In what was an exciting three-set match on Family Weekend, the Linfield volleyball team lost in straight sets to Puget Sound on Saturday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
Puget Sound won by scores of 25-22, 25-23 and 25-19. The Loggers finished with 43 kills, 11 aces, seven blocks, 40 assists and 46 digs. The Wildcats totaled 36 kills, eight aces, four blocks, 36 assists and 35 digs to go with a .220 hitting percentage.
 
Junior outside hitter Raelynn Hammock provided the offensive fuel again for the Wildcats, finishing with a match-high 13 kills and tying for the match-high with the Loggers' Aliah Ayau with 10 digs. Hammock has reached double digits in kills in seven straight matches, ranking third in the Northwest Conference with 3.42 kills per set.
 
Junior middle blocker Ellie Mead and freshman outside hitter Brooklin Champion finished with seven kills apiece. Mead had a .429 hitting percentage while Champion had a .333 hitting percentage with four digs. Junior setter Aylea Dixon (18) and sophomore setter Mia Naccarato (13) combined for 31 assists.
 
Katelyn Chekian led the Loggers with nine kills to go with seven digs, two aces and a .214 hitting percentage. Avery Allemann had eight kills while Jordan Holman and Katherine Carley each had seven.
 
NEXT
Linfield fell to 4-11 overall with a 0-10 Northwest Conference mark. The 'Cats will host Division II Saint Martin's at 7 p.m. on Tuesday before returning to NWC play on Friday at Whitworth, also at 7 p.m.