McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Halloween isn't until Sunday, but the Linfield volleyball team spooked Lewis & Clark with a four-set victory on Friday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
The Wildcats won by scores of 25-16, 25-19, 24-26 and 25-16. It was their first win in Northwest Conference play and their first since a sweep of Mills on Sept. 11 at Lewis & Clark's Pamplin Sports Center.

"We came out tough from the first serve of the match," said second-year head coach Haley Domeck. "We had players who weren't in their normal positions and we had some players step up in key ways. As a unit, the team fought and played with grit. The energy that the team brought into the gym was huge. As a coaching staff, we are very proud of the way the team finished tonight to earn a conference win."
 
It was all Linfield in the first set as the Wildcats opened the match with a 10-4 run on their way to a nine-point win at 25-16. The Pioneers went up 4-3 early in the second set, but the 'Cats settled in to retake the momentum and the lead to hold on for the 25-19 win.
 
Linfield trailed in the beginning stages of the third set. Lewis & Clark opened with a 7-2 run before forcing a timeout by the 'Cats. Whatever Domeck said in the huddle worked because the 'Cats responded with a 7-2 run of their own to tie the set at 9-9. The teams exchanged blows the rest of the way before the Pioneers broke away for the 26-24 win.
 
The 'Cats went on a 6-0 run in the fourth set to make it 9-4. They shut the door on a 25-16 win with a 4-0 run to claim their first NWC victory since their 3-1 home win over Whitman on Oct. 4, 2019.
 
Junior outside hitter Raelynn Hammock and senior outside hitter Regan Dean provided the offensive fuel. Hammock finished with a match-high 17 kills on a .200 hitting percentage and tied for the match-high with 16 digs. Her 17 kills also matched her season high. Hammock has registered double digit kills in 11 straight matches and double digit digs in seven. Dean racked up 14 kills alongside Hammock with a .225 hitting percentage and a pair of digs.
 
Although Hammock and Dean were on fire on offense, it was a team effort in the four-set win. Junior setter Aylea Dixon had a match-high 26 assists with seven digs and five kills. Junior libero Maya Nakasone finished with 15 digs while sophomore defensive specialist Yssa Alcones had 14.

"Raelynn and Regan were forces at the net offensively," Domeck said. "Both Aylea and Mia Naccarato distributed the ball well. Maya and Yssa played some great defense for us behind the block. Brooklin Champion held strong at the net tonight, leading the team in blocks."
 
Izzy Willis led the Pioneers offensively with 12 kills to go with 12 digs and a .179 hitting percentage. Kelsey Parker just missed double digit kills with nine. Michelle McGinn tied with Hammock for the match-high with 16 digs.
 
NEXT
Linfield improved to 5-14 overall and 1-12 in Northwest Conference play. The 'Cats will look to go back-to-back as they host Pacific a 6 p.m. on Saturday. 
 
Saturday's match marks Senior Night as the program bids farewell to fifth-year senior Regan Dean as well as nursing students, junior Seraiah Ochse and sophomore Yssa Alcones.