COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Second-year head coach
Haley Domeck picked up her first win at the helm of the Linfield volleyball program as the Wildcats split a doubleheader at the Colorado College Classic to open the 2021 season.
The Wildcats lost in straight sets to host and No. 2-ranked Colorado College before beating St. Catherine, 3-1, in the second match of the afternoon.
"Getting to play a team like Colorado College pushed us and we are very proud of how hard the team fought," said Domeck. "We brought great energy into the match against Colorado College and that carried over into the St. Kate match. We are proud of the team for going 1-1."
Two veterans, in particular, helped boost the Wildcats to victory.
"
Ellie Mead was a key performer in our win over St. Kate," praised Domeck. "She was a consistent offensive threat and worked hard as a blocker. Alyea Dixon did a great job distributing the ball as well."
MATCH 1
The 'Cats were competitive but couldn't find an answer for the Tigers, losing by scores of 25-18, 25-17 and 25-17.
The Tigers finished the match with 44 kills and a .333 hitting percentage to the 'Cats' 33 kills and .160 hitting percentage.
Isabella Vasquez and Georgia Mullins led the Tigers on offense. Vasquez led the team with 13 kills, 12 digs and a .323 hitting percentage while Mullins finished with 10 kills, two aces and a .526 hitting percentage.
"Getting to play a team like Colorado College pushed us and we're proud of how hard the team fought," Domeck said."
Junior outside hitter
Raelynn Hammock led the 'Cats with 10 kills to go with a pair of aces and five digs while senior outside hitter
Regan Dean totaled eight kills and seven digs.
Dixon, a junior setter, recorded 28 assists in the match with three kills and four digs while sophomore defensive specialist
Yssa Alcones led the team with 11 digs.
MATCH 2
The Wildcats picked up their first win of the season and the Domeck Era with a 3-1 victory over St. Catherine, winning by scores of 25-21, 16-25, 25-20 and 27-25.
The Wildcats totaled 51 kills to St. Catherine's 42 to go with a .110 hitting percentage and 61 digs.
Dean led the 'Cats with 14 kills to go with seven digs while Hammock went off again for 13 kills and 17 digs. Junior middle blocker
Ellie Mead totaled 11 kills and added a pair of block for the 'Cats.
"Ellie was a key performer in our win," Domeck said. "She was a consistent offensive threat and worked hard as a blocker as well. Aylea did a great job distributing the ball as well."
Junior middle blocker
Seraiah Ochse finished with seven kills while junior libero
Maya Nakasone had 14 digs. Dixon racked up another 47 assists in the win.
NEXT
Linfield moves to 1-1 and will play St. Catherine at 10 a.m. (MST) on Saturday before playing the host Tigers again at 2 p.m. to wrap up the road trip.
