McMINNVILLE, Ore. – The Linfield volleyball team played its final home match of the season Friday night, losing in four sets to second-place Pacific Lutheran at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
The Lutes handled the Wildcats by scores of 25-18, 25-16, 21-25 and 25-16. They totaled 52 kills, eight aces, five blocks, 49 assists and 76 digs. The Wildcats finished with 32 kills, five aces, nine blocks, 31 assists and 61 digs.
 
The Lutes separated themselves from the Wildcats early in the first set, getting off to a hot 15-7 lead. They extended that lead to 12 points at 20-8 before running away with the 25-18 set win. The Lutes were up 11-5 in the second set, but the 'Cats clawed their way back with a 6-0 run to tie it at 11. A 5-0 run by PLU made it 16-11, and then the Lutes shut the door on the 25-16 win.
 
Both teams exchanged punches in the beginning stages of the third set before the 'Cats went on a 9-5 run to take a 19-15 lead. The Lutes rallied back to tie it at 20. The 'Cats finished the set strong, picking up four straight points to go up 24-20 and holding on to win the set, 25-21.
 
Pacific Lutheran wasn't messing around in the fourth set, extending its lead to as much as nine points to win the set at 25-16 and the match at 3-1.
 
Hailey Iha had a match-high 13 kills for PLU to go with a .524 hitting percentage. Baylee Johnson also finished with double digit kills with 10 on a .231 hitting percentage. Emily Dulaney finished with a match-high 42 assists while Halle Hetzler had a match-high 37 digs.
 
Linfield junior outside hitter Raelynn Hammock finished with double digit kills for the 13^th straight match. She registered 12 kills and 11 digs. Fifth-year senior outside hitter Regan Dean played in her final match in Ted Wilson Gymnasium, finishing with seven kills, three digs and three block assists. Junior setter Aylea Dixon finished with a team-high 22 assists while junior libero Maya Nakasone led the 'Cats with 22 digs.
 
NEXT
Linfield dropped to 5-16 overall and 1-14 in Northwest Conference play with the loss. The 'Cats will wrap up their season on the road, playing at George Fox at 6 p.m. on Saturday.