SPOKANE, Wash. --- Linfield volleyball (7-9, 5-6 NWC) closed out the weekend road trip on Saturday night, falling to the second-place Whitworth Pirates (16-6, 10-2 NWC) in four sets. 
 
After narrowly dropping the opening set 25-22, Linfield regrouped and found rhythm in the second. Watanabe and Taliloa powered the offense early, combining for five kills in the first 15 points. Myre's back-row defense and a pair of aces from Alefaio-Foifua gave the Wildcats separation late in the frame, closing it out 25-22.
 
Whitworth responded with strong offensive efficiency in the final two sets, using its depth and front-line blocking to slow Linfield's momentum. Still, the Wildcats continued to battle, highlighted by Millard's late run in the fourth set and Myre's back-to-back kills to close the gap before the Pirates sealed the match.
 
Linfield finished with 39 total kills and a .116 hitting percentage while holding Whitworth to just eight aces and forcing 19 errors. The performance marked another step forward for the Wildcats' young roster, which demonstrated defensive discipline and improved balance at the net.
 
Nora Myre contributed seven kills and 12 digs, continuing her steady two-way play, while middle blocker Lani Taliloa posted nine kills and two blocks while hitting an efficient .412. Madison Millard chipped in five kills and two blocks, and Katelyn Mawdsley added three kills with three total blocks to strengthen Linfield's presence at the net.

Setter Pi'ilani Hirahara guided the attack with 15 assists, five digs, and three service aces, while Dannika Goss contributed 12 assists off the bench. Libero Naia Alefaio-Foifua turned in another strong defensive performance, collecting a team-high 17 digs and adding two service aces. Paige Pa'aluhi anchored the back row with nine digs and an ace, while Margaritah Banuelos chipped in two assists and a service ace in a key rotation during the first set.
 
Volleyball returns to Oregon, and will travel to Salem on Tuesday, taking on the Willamette Bearcats at 7 p.m.
 
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