McMINNVILLE, Ore. – There was cardinal red everywhere but it was the team in maroon and gold who came out on top. Visiting Northwest Conference opponent, Willamette (6-5, 2-3) grabbed control early and never relented against Linfield (5-6, 1-3). The Bearcats grabbed a straight sets victory over the Wildcats in Ted Wilson Gymnasium on Saturday evening, 20-25, 15-25, 24-26.
The Wildcats finished with a .062 hitting percentage, 26 kills, 26 assists, 48 digs and seven serving aces.
Ryli Kalahiki led the team in kills with six while
Claire Johnson led the team in assists with 21.
Olivia Cadien showed early why she is one of the best hitters in the NWC, totaling five kills in the first set and guiding the Bearcats to an opening-set win. Willamette took complete control in the second set, leading nearly wire-to-wire. Linfield finished the second set with the same amount of kills and errors (six) that was met by Willamette's scorching hot .500 hitting percentage.
The Bearcats matched 11 set kills from the Wildcats with 12 of their own to close a tightly contested third set.
Willamette finished with a .183 hitting percentage, 35 kills, 32 assists, 63 digs and 10 serving aces. Emma Porter tallied a game-high 29 assists and Cadien finished with 15 kills
NEXT
The 'Cats travel to Newberg on Friday, Sept. 29 to face George Fox at 7 p.m. Before returning to Ted Wilson Gymnasium to battle Pacific on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.
