McMINNVILLE, Ore. – It wasn't the result they were looking to send the seniors off with, but the Linfield Wildcats fought to the end in a 3-1 Senior Day loss to the Whitman Blues Friday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
Linfield opened the match with a 25-22 win in set No. 1. Whitman countered by winning three straight sets by scores of 25-22, 26-24 and 25-19. The Wildcats ended the season at 8-15 overall and 4-12 in Northwest Conference play. The team won three more matches than it did a year ago.
The Wildcats hit better than .200 in two of the four sets, hitting .206 in the first set and .231 in the third set. But as the match progressed, the Blues got stronger, putting the dagger in the 'Cats with 16 kills in the fourth frame on a .359 hitting percentage.
Kenzie Martinez finished tied for the match high with 20 kills on a .277 hitting percentage to go with 12 digs. Christina Boxberger and Sydney London added 12 kills apiece. Boxberger completed a double-double with a match-high 17 digs while London hit .550 on the night. Teia Magaoay dished out 51 assists, setting a new season high.
Raelynn Hammock matched Martinez with 20 kills on a .236 hitting percentage. It was her seventh 20-plus kill performance of the season. Hammock added five aces and 11 digs. She ended her senior campaign with five straight double-doubles and 14 overall.
Araeya Watanabe and
Kara Thomas added eight kills each. Watanabe's .353 hitting percentage was a season high among all qualified matches.
Kayla Moss ended her collegiate career with a career-high seven kills.
Maya Nakasone tallied 16 digs while
Aylea Dixon had 42 assists. Dixon registered 40 or more assists on three occasions this season, led by a 43-assist outing against Whitworth on Thursday.
Linfield volleyball honored eight seniors for their achievements on the court and in the classroom.
Aylea Dixon,
Raelynn Hammock,
Ellie Mead,
Kayla Moss,
Maya Nakasone,
Megan Pallas,
Megan Stanek and
Kara Thomas all saw action in their final collegiate matches.
