MCMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield volleyball (6-7, 4-4 NWC) took down Northwest Conference rival George Fox (5-9, 2-6 NWC) on Saturday evening, dominating form beyond the service line in all three sets. Reigning Defensive Athlete of the Week, freshman libero Naia Alefaio-Foifua tied a program record, recording eight service aces in the match. 
 
Coming off of a late five-set victory in Portland last night, the Wildcats showed no signs of fatigue, climbing out to a 7-0 run, highlighted by five aces for freshman libero Naia Alefaio-Foifua. Alefaio-Foifua entered the weekend as the conference's Defensive Player of the Week after tallying 56 digs in three matches a week ago. 
 
George Fox faught back, getting within one of the Wildcats at 11-10, forcing a timeout from head coach Jenna Street. Street's Wildcats found two more aces from Alefaio-Foifua and Pi'ilani Hirahara to regain a comfortable lead late in the set. Tatum Montiel and Lani Taliloa closed out the set, 25-16, giving the 'Cats a 1-0 lead at home. Alefaio-Foifua's six aces in the first marked the most by one Wildcat in a match since 2021; with at least two more sets to play.
 
Mirroring the opening set, Linfield grabbed a quick 4-0 and 8-3 lead over George Fox, with three of the points earning kills for junior outside hitter Nora Myre. The Bruins climbed within two points at 13-11, but an ace by Alefaio-Foifua and a block from Myre propelled a 5-0 run for some insurance. Millard joined the ace party late, earning two of her own to cap off another 5-0 run to give the 'Cats a 25-17 second-set victory. 
 
George Fox disallowed a third-consecutive Linfield shutout to open the third, but the 'Cats pulled ahead thanks to Myre, Taliloa, and Dani Pomele smashing three kills. Fox was able to hang within striking distance, until Mawdsley hammered home a kill that led two back-to-back aces by Taliloa to take a 22-16 lead. Myre put the exclamation point on the clean sweep of the Bruins, giving the 'Cats a 25-20 win in straight sets. 
 
The Bruins never led in the match, as they were unable to slow the Wildcat offense of Myre (ten kills), Montiel (nine kills), and Taliloa (six kills). Alefaio-Foifua led with a match-high 11 digs, while her eight aces tied a program record, and the most in a match since 2017. Margaritah Banuelos handled the setting, earning 14 total assists for the match. The 'Cats swung .247 to the Bruins .115, but the difference came beyond the line, with Linfield boasting 16 aces to GFU's three. 
 
Wildcat volleyball is back inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium in just a pair of days, hosting Pacific at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Linfield took down Pacific in straight sets on the road to open conference play earlier this Fall.
 
To follow Linfield Wildcats coverage all season long, visit golinfieldwildcats.com. Please consider following Linfield Athletics on Facebook, and @LinfieldSports on Instagram and X.com. 
 
 
 
  Read Full Article