FOREST GROVE, Ore. --- Linfield volleyball (3-3, 1-0 NWC) opened Northwest Conference play in dominant fashion Tuesday night, sweeping Pacific (3-3, 0-1 NWC) in three sets. The Wildcats were sharp from start to finish, taking control early in a 25-13, 25-19, 25-19 victory.
 
Linfield took control early in set one, jumping out to a quick lead with back-to-back kills from Lani Taliloa and Madison Millard, then pulling away on a serving run from Taliloa that included two aces. The offense kept the momentum alive from last weekend's Cal Lu Fornia Invitational, climbing out to a 14-6 lead. The 'Cats made it a quick set, taking the first NWC set of the season, 25-13.
 
In the second set, the Wildcats broke it open with a flurry of points at the net, highlighted by blocks from Tatum Montiel and Katelyn Mawdsley. The Boxers climbed back into the set, making it 20-18 Wildcats, but Millard slammed the door shut with a pair of kills to cap off a 5-2 run to take the second set. 
 
The third saw Pacific hang close early, giving the Boxers their first lead of the match at 3-1. Linfield tied it back up shortly after at 5-5, before an 8-1 lead put the 'Cats on top 15-7. A trio of service errors earned Linfield the final three match-winning points to earn the sweep in the conference opener.
 
Nora Myre was steady on the outside, posting 12 kills while adding 14 digs to record a double-double. She swung at a .286 clip and provided timely points in each set. Lani Taliloa was equally effective, finishing with eight kills on .313 hitting, two aces, and a pair of blocks for 11.5 points. Madison Millard was nearly flawless at the net, racking up six kills without an error for a .545 percentage, while also contributing three blocks and a service ace. 
 
With the win, Linfield improved to 3-3 overall and 1-0 in Northwest Conference play. The team looks ahead to their next match next Friday, September 26^th, the home opener against Whitworth inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium at 7 p.m.
 
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