MCMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield volleyball (4-5, 2-2 NWC) made their first road trip to Washington for the season, coming up short in their comeback attempt against Pacific Lutheran (5-6, 3-1 NWC), 3-1.
Pacific Lutheran showed their strength early in the first set, storming out to a 5-0 lead. Trailing by as much as seven, the Wildcats fought back, coming within one of the Lutes a pair of times, thanks to
Lani Taliloa whose kill and block assist led the charge. PLU was able to pull away late in the set following a 20-19 lead over Linfield, enough to rake the opening set, 25-22.
The 'Cats began to find their stride in the second, taking a 6-4 lead that was stretched to a 12-6 lead by
Tatum Montiel with a pair of kills. Linfield remained in control for the majority of the set, with
Madison Millard and
Nora Myre contributing to the 21-13 lead. But a 12-2 run by the Lutes negated the large Wildcat lead, giving PLU their second set win of the night.
Set three was much of the same, with the Wildcats taking an early lead behind the offense from Montiel. But the Lutes wouldn't go away, coming back to take a 14-13 advantage thanks to another big run. Five more ties came as the two squads went back-and-forth, but Linfield was able to grab a 23-22 lead late. This time, the 'Cats were able to hang on and put the set away late, claiming the third, 25-23.
Doing their best to come back into the match, Linfield couldn't maintain a steady lead in the fourth, as the Lutes would pull out to a 16-11 lead. PLU extended their lead to 24-17, putting Linfield on the brink of defeat, but the 'Cats wouldn't go away. Myre and Mawdsley's swings paired with an ace from
Madison Millard clawed the Wildcats back into the game at 24-21. The Lutes grabbed the match-sealing point following a timeout, taking set three 25-21 and the match, 3-1.
Myre tallied 14 kills, but was closely trailed by Taliloa who finished with 13 of her own. On 35 attacks, Taliloa swung .229, notching 14.5 points.
Naia Alefaio-Foifua kept her strong freshman season going, totaling 23 digs for 5.75 per-set. Millard stuffed four total blocks down low, while
Pi'ilani Hirahara earned 22 assists for her setting duties.
Linfield had seven more kills than Pacific Lutheran, but the difference came in the hitting percentage due to the Wildcats having nine more attack errors on offense, and six more service errors behind the line.
Linfield travels just across Tacoma for their weekend road trip finale against Puget Sound tomorrow at 6 p.m.
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