WALLA WALLA, Wash. --- Linfield volleyball (7-8, 5-5 NWC) fell victim to a comeback by the Whitman Blues (8-11, 7-5 NWC), squandering a two-set lead on the road, and snapping a three-match win streak.
 
After Whitman took an early 2-0 lead in the opening set, Linfield stormed out on a 6-0 run to grab the advantage with Naia Alefaio-Foifua handling the serves and Araeya Watanabe and Lani Taliloa stuffing the Blues attack at the net. A set of runs, after Whitman took the lead, the 'Cats 8-1 propelled them back on top, 15-10. Paige Pa'aluhi captured two aces, while Nora Myre had three kills during the run. Linfield maintained the lead the rest of the way, with Margaritah Banuelos' ace capping off a 25-18 set one win.
 
The Wildcats carried the momentum into the second set, climbing out to a 6-2 lead behind more strong serving by Banuelos. The Linfield lead only grew larger, never trailing in the set, with contributions coming from all across the bench. The 'Cats cruised to a 25-14 win in set two, putting the Blues on their heels at home. 
 
The Blues fought back in the third, trying to avoid a sweep on their home court. Set three saw five instanced of a tied score, before Whitman was able to pull ahead. Linfield got within two late, but Whitman grabbed the third, 25-18. The fourth was controlled by Whitman to start, but Myre and Alefaio-Foifua brought the 'Cats to just one back at 16-15, forcing a Blues timeout. With the 'Cats backs against the wall, they clawed back, taking four of five points late, but came up just short, falling 25-23 in the fourth. For the fifth time this season, Linfield was set for a five-set match. 
 
Whitman took control early, maintaining a three-point lead in the shortened fifth set. The lead began to grow as the Blues handled the final set, 15-6. 
 
Myre totaled 16 kills in 40 attacks, tallying a .275 hitting percentage. Alefaio-Foifua and Pa'aluhi tied for a team-high 17 digs, with Myre close behind with 16. The 'Cats had 13 aces, with Pa'aluhi accounting for four while Banuelos had three of her own. Linfield had 30 attack errors to the Blues 17. 
 
Linfield heads north to Spokane for tomorrow evening's match against the Whitworth Pirates at 6 p.m. to wrap up the weekend road trip. 
 
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