SALEM, Ore. – Linfield won the first set but Willamette won three straight to down the Wildcats, 3-1, to open conference play on Wednesday night at Cone Field House.
 
The Wildcats lost to the Bearcats by scores of 25-17, 23-25, 20-25 and 22-25. The 'Cats finished with 48 kills, eight aces, six blocks, 43 assists and 52 digs.
 
Senior outside hitter Regan Dean led the 'Cats with 14 kills to go with a .286 hitting percentage, seven digs, two assists and an ace. Junior setter Aylea Dixon tallied three kills, 37 assists and 11 digs. 
 
Junior outside hitter Raelynn Hammock and junior middle blocker Seraiah Ochse had nine kills apiece. Hammock had eight digs in the match while Ochse finished with four digs and three blocks. Junior middle blocker Ellie Mead also just fell short of double digit kills with eight.
 
The Bearcats had three players finish with double digit kills, led by 15 kills by both Natalie Klotz and Olivia Cadien. Dani Queja finished with a solid 13 kills and seven digs.
 
NEXT
Linfield is 4-3 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. Up next, the Wildcats will stay on the road to play at Puget Sound at 6 p.m. on Saturday.