McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield had a tall task ahead welcoming Northwest Conference leader Pacific Lutheran to Ted Wilson Gymnasium on Friday night. The Lutes (11-7, 10-0) defense led the way in the three-set affair in favor of Pacific Lutheran 21-25, 10-25, 20-25.
The Wildcats combined for 20 kills, on a -0.36 hitting percentage, 59 digs, 20 assists, six serving aces and tied a season-high with nine blocks.
Araeya Watanabe led the team in kills with seven while
Ryli Kalahiki,
Katelin Sindelar,
Lexi Correa and
Claire Johnson all had three kills each.
Paige Richards led the defense with 17 digs while Johnson accounted for 17 assists.
The Wildcats totaled 11 kills in the opening set with Watanabe counting for four. The Lutes matched Linfield's offense and then some, taking the first set behind 15 kills. The Lutes scored the first five points of the second set and never looked back to claim another set victory behind 11 more kills and six team blocks.
Linfield totaled five blocks in a tightly contested third set. But the Lutes again eclipsed double-digit kills as a team to close out the straight-set victory.
The Lutes totaled 39 kills, on a .161 hitting percentage, 57 digs, 39 assists and seven serving aces. Elle Thomas led the Pacific Lutheran in kills with 10. Olivia Evaro led the team in assists with 32 and Halle Hetzler (14) led in digs.
NEXT
The Wildcats (7-9, 3-6) return to Ted Wilson Gymnasium on Saturday when they host Puget Sound at 6 p.m.
