MCMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield volleyball (3-4, 1-1 NWC) fought hard in the home opener on Friday night inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium, coming back from a 2-0 set deficit, ultimately falling in five to Whitworth (10-4, 4-0 NWC)>
After the Pirates captured the first point of the opening set, the Wildcats were able to tie the set four times up until 7-7. Whitworth then went on an 8-2 run that led to a Linfield timeout. Although the lead stretched as wide as 16-10 in favor of the Pirates, a kill and an ace by
Lani Taliloa brought the 'Cats back into the set; tying it up for a fifth time at 18-18. The Pirates were able to regain momentum, closing the set on a 7-1 run to take set one, 25-19.
Whitworth kept the momentum into set two, climbing out to a 4-0 lead after a pair of Wildcat errors. Crucial kills by Taliloa and Myre, along with a block by Millard and Myre, kept Linfield within striking distance. Stellar defense from libero
Naia Alefaio-Foifua meant a rally was always alive, tying the match up for the first time in the set at 15-15. Once again, a late run by the Pirates gave them a cushion that the 'Cats would be unable to come back from; Whitworth strung together a second set victory, 25-20.
Madison Millard stuffed the Pirates at the net, followed by an ace behind the service line to knot the third set up at 4-4 early. Whitworth regained the lead, 10-7, but a 5-0 run gave the 'Cats their first lead of the night behind three-straight kills from
Nora Myre. Myre entered the weekend leading the Northwest Conference in kills per set, while also joining Alefaio-Foifua as a force on defense.
Linfield's largest lead came at 20-17, but the NWC-leading Pirates stuck around late, tying the set up at 23-23. A service and set error from Whitworth gave Linfield their first set win of the night, 25-23.
The two squads traded runs early in the fourth, but Whitworth turned in an 8-2 run to climb out to a 19-12 lead. The 'Cats wouldn't go down without a fight, clawing all the way back to tie the game up and force extra points at 24-24. The late run was highlighted by blocks from Millard, Tililoa, and
Autumn Gaboury-Parker. Linfield faced match-point twice, but three-straight attack errors by Whitworth meant the Wildcats earned a hard-fought 28-26 win to take it to a final deciding set.
Following a 2-2 draw to begin the deciding set, Whitworth took a 6-2 lead, forcing head coach
Jenna Street to call a timeout. Coming out of the break, the 'Cats adjustments proved crucial, winning the next four points to tie the set up at 6-6. The Pirates fought back, taking a 12-8 lead, before the 'Cats took four of five to get within one. Whitworth grabbed the final two points, taking a 15-12 deciding set.
Myre recorded a match-leading 18 kills, while adding 13 digs and two aces from behind the line. The junior continues to do it all, recording 1.5 total blocks and an assist. Alefaio-Foifua showed her strength as a first-year libero for the Wildcats, recording 21 digs to lead both teams. Alefaio-Foifua made numerous diving saves, keeping the team in every point.
Pi'ilani Hirahara and Margaritah Banuelos handled the setting for the evening, combining for 44 assists total.
As a team, the Linfield front line tallied 16 total blocks, to Whitworth's five. Millard and Gaboury-Parker accounted for 8.5 of the team's total.
"I'm really proud of how this team fought tonight." Said coach Street following the match. "The team always fights back, never gives up, and that showed tonight."
The 'Cats hit the court again tomorrow evening inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium at 6 p.m., set to host the Whitman College Blues.
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