PORTLAND, Ore. – The Linfield Wildcats won back-to-back sets to take down the Lewis & Clark Pioneers in five sets Saturday night at the Pamplin Sports Center.
The Wildcats won by scores of 21-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22 and 15-10. The team amassed 66 points, 52 kills, six aces, eight blocks, 51 assists and 97 digs. The 97 digs are a season high.
Raelynn Hammock had a monster match for the 'Cats, going off for a match-high 24 kills on a .234 hitting percentage. She also racked up 17 digs. The senior outside hitter has registered 20 or more kills in four matches this season. Her season high of 25 kills came in Linfield's season-opening 3-1 victory against New England College on Sept. 2.
Ellie Mead fell just short of double figures with nine kills on a .200 hitting percentage to go with a match-high six blocks. It's the most blocks she's tallied since returning from injury midseason.
Kara Thomas added seven kills and four digs.
Four Wildcats finished with double digit digs. The group was led by
Maya Nakasone, who crushed her season high with 22 digs in her fourth appearance of the year.
Ryli Kalahiki turned in a season-high 18 digs while
Aylea Dixon joined Hammock with a career-high 17. Dixon also dished out 38 assists.
Three Pios finished in double digits. Ellie Weber led the team with 20 kills on 49 attempts. Debi Chun contributed a double-double of 13 kills and 20 digs while Emily Strand had 10 kills.
The Wildcats improved to 8-9 overall and 4-6 in Northwest Conference play after sweeping the season series with the Pioneers. It's the most conference wins for the program since the 'Cats won five NWC matches in 2017.
NEXT
With a split on the weekend, the 'Cats now look ahead to Pacific Lutheran at 7 p.m. Friday in Tacoma, Washington. They will then return home to host George Fox on Saturday, which marks Nursing School Matriculation Night.
