MCMINNVILLE, Ore.. --- Linfield volleyball (8-12, 6-9 NWC) earned a season sweep over Yamhill rival George Fox, coming back on Friday night after dropping to first set to win in four. 
 
After a rocky first set in which George Fox tallied five aces, the Wildcats responded by winning the next three sets. Myre's back-to-back aces early in set two provided a spark, and Montiel's late kill sealed the frame to level the match. The third set featured 11 ties, but Linfield's composure in tight rallies proved decisive, capped by consecutive kills from Watanabe and Mawdsley. In the fourth, Linfield built an early lead and held off a late Bruins push before Mawdsley's final swing closed out the match. 
 
Linfield's attacking powered the turnaround, led by Tatum Montiel and Katelyn Mawdsley. Montiel was a steady scoring presence with 10 kills, contributing timely swings throughout the final three sets. Mawdsley turned in her most efficient outing of the season, recording 12 kills on a .333 hitting percentage and delivering the match-clinching kill to close the fourth set. Nora Myre added nine kills, 13 digs, and three aces, sparking key scoring runs from the service line that shifted momentum firmly toward the Wildcats. 

Hirahara handed out 18 assists and added a service ace, while Banuelos contributed 18 assists of her own along with 10 digs and an ace. Their rhythm with the middle attack was critical, particularly as the Wildcats settled in during the second set and began consistently finding seams in the Bruins' block. 
 
Defensively, Naia Alefaio-Foifua anchored the back row with a team-high 20 digs and a service ace, helping Linfield withstand George Fox's early serving pressure before flipping the tone of the match in the second set. Libero Bella Rodriguez added 10 digs, and the Wildcats' block came alive in the middle frames, led by Madison Millard's three blocks and steady net presence. Linfield's first-ball defense tightened as the match progressed, holding the Bruins to a .103 team hitting percentage while the Wildcats finished with 70 digs overall. 

Volleyball completes head coach Jenna Street's first season at the helm tomorrow evening inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium for Senior Night, with the match starting at 7 p.m. against Lewis & Clark. 
 
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. 
 
  
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