McMINNVILLE, Ore. - The Linfield volleyball team will head to Lacey, Washington, on Tuesday to play at Division II Saint Martin's before returning home to host Whitworth on Friday and Whitman on Saturday in a pair of Northwest Conference matchups.
THE RECORDS
Linfield enters the week at 4-4 overall and 0-2 in Northwest Conference play. Whitworth enters with a 7-2 overall record and a 2-0 conference mark while Whitman is 2-9 with a 0-2 conference mark. The Wildcats were picked ninth in the Northwest Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. The Pirates were picked to win it all in 2021 with eight of the nine first-place votes while the Blues were picked just ahead of the 'Cats in the No. 8 spot.
LINFIELD AT A GLANCE
The Wildcats are second in the conference with 10.80 assists per set and fifth with a .161 hitting percentage. Junior outside hitter
Raelynn Hammock leads the team offensively with 3.32 kills per set, which ranks fourth in the Northwest Conference. Junior middle blocker
Seraiah Ochse is fourth in the NWC with a .354 hitting percentage to go with 1.86 kills per set while junior setter
Aylea Dixon leads the conference with 276 assists and 9.52 assists per set.
WHITWORTH AT A GLANCE
The Pirates lead the Northwest Conference with 12.32 kills, 11.35 assists, 2.66 blocks and 1.23 aces per set with a .186 hitting percentage. Sophomore Kaity Barr is second in the Northwest Conference with a .363 hitting percentage and third with 1.13 blocks per set. Senior Maddie Lee is the Pirates' leading scorer, ranking second in the NWC with 3.52 kills per set and leading the conference with 4.19 points per set. Freshman Cassidy Franklin owns a .304 hitting percentage with a team-leading 1.23 blocks per set.
WHITMAN AT A GLANCE
The Blues are averaging 10.39 kills, 8.79 assists and 14.84 digs per set to go with a .129 hitting percentage. Junior Christina Boxberger leads the team and ranks seventh in the Northwest Conference with 2.80 kills per set. Senior Tate Cadang is eighth in the NWC with 5.53 assists per set while junior Brooke Valentine ranks ninth with 3.55 digs per set.
HISTORY
Linfield and Whitworth have met 52 times with the Pirates leading the series with a 30-22 record. The Wildcats own a winning record of 13-12 against the Pirates at home, but the Pirates have won the last four meetings and eight of the last 10. The Pirates swept the season series in 2019, winning by scores of 3-2 and 3-1.
Linfield and Whitman have also met 52 times with the Wildcats leading the series with a 35-17 record. The 'Cats own a commanding 21-4 home record against the Blues. The two squads split their season series in 2019 with the 'Cats winning 3-1 at home and the Blues winning in straight sets in Walla Walla.
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.
