WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Linfield volleyball team lost in straight sets at Whitman on Saturday night at the Sherwood Center. The Blues won by scores of 25-20, 25-16 and 25-22.
 
Whitman finished with 35 kills, seven aces, 12 blocks, 32 assists and 40 digs in the sweep. Linfield topped the Blues in kills with 39 to go with five blocks, 32 assists and 35 digs. The Blues had a .204 team hitting percentage to the Wildcats' .182.
 
Linfield junior outside hitter Raelynn Hammock finished with a match-high 14 kills and tied for the match-high with 10 digs. It was the 10^th straight match that Hammock reached double digits in kills. She ranks third in the Northwest Conference with 3.54 kills per set.
 
Senior outside hitter Regan Dean finished with eight kills, four digs and a .192 hitting percentage while junior right side hitter Kara Thomas had seven kills with a .294 hitting percentage. Junior setter Aylea Dixon picked up 22 assists. Dixon ranks No. 5 in the NWC with 7.77 assists per set.
 
The Blues were led offensively by Nicole Kelly's 10 kills to go with her seven digs. Christina Boxberger just missed double digit kills with nine on a .471 hitting percentage while Kenzie Martinez had eight kills, a .300 hitting percentage and 10 digs, which tied with Hammock for the match-high.
 
NEXT
Linfield fell to 4-14 overall and 0-12 in Northwest Conference play with the loss. The 'Cats open a three-match homestand next week, hosting Lewis & Clark on Friday and Pacific on Senior Night on Saturday.
 
LINFIELD COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
All individuals (age 12 and over) entering any athletics venue must provide proof of vaccination along with photo identification. Since all Linfield faculty, staff and students have completed this task in order to be on campus this fall, the Linfield individual must simply show their current Linfield ID.
 
Masks must be worn by all spectators at all times. Participants, including players, coaches, support staff and media on the sidelines, must wear masks throughout the duration of all athletic events, both indoor and outdoor, and during pregame and postgame activities.