FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Following its first straight set win of the season, Linfield volleyball ended up on the wrong side of a sweep Saturday afternoon in a loss to UC Santa Cruz at the Oregon Trail Classic, hosted by Pacific University at the Stoller Center.
 
The Banana Slugs took all three sets with ease, winning 25-13, 25-14 and 25-14 to snap the Wildcats' three-match win streak. The Slugs had the advantage in kills (43), digs (38), assists (41), blocks (11) and aces (six). They posted a .444 team hitting percentage while limiting the 'Cats to a .024 percentage.
 
Payton Tazelaar led all players with 12 kills on a .579 hitting percentage. She also contributed nine digs. Sydney Ahrendt finished with 11 kills and a .647 hitting percentage. Vanessa Ojeikere tallied five blocks while Sinead Beaupain had 18 assists.
 
Senior outside hitter Raelynn Hammock led the 'Cats with nine kills on 21 attempts to go with six digs. Marina Erosa added seven kills while Aylea Dixon had a team-high 21 assists.
 
The 'Cats went 1-1 at the Oregon Trail Classic, beating Austin College 3-0 in their tournament opener on Friday. They will enter Northwest Conference play with a 4-2 overall record.
 
NEXT
Northwest Conference play opens at Ted Wilson Gymnasium as Linfield hosts Willamette (Sept. 16) and Lewis & Clark (Sept. 17) on Homecoming Weekend.
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