SALEM, Ore. --- Linfield volleyball (1-1) began their season on Friday afternoon at the Oregon Trail Classic, falling to California Lutheran in four sets to begin the day, but recovering with a four-set win over Pacific Union (Calif.).
GAME 1
The Regals claimed the opening set 25–20, although the Wildcats recovered from at 16-9 deficit, to get as close as 21-19. Linfield bounced back in the second, pulling off a 26–24 win that saw Nora Myre and Tatum Montiel spark the offense. The Regals saw a lead as large as 15-8, but a late 8-2 run put the 'Cats up 24-22. After two-straight points to tie it up at 24-24, a final kill by Kaitlyn Hough put the set away. Myre finished with 11 kills and 13 digs, while Montiel chipped in 13 kills on 34 swings.
Cal Lutheran quickly regained control, taking the third set 25–11, mostly thanks to a 12-2 run. The Regals closed the match in the fourth, pulling away late for a 25–18 set win to claim the match.
Defensively, Linfield was busy in the back row, tallying 81 digs, led by libero Naia Alefaio-Foifua with 30. While setters Pi'ilani Hirahara (21 assists) and Margaritah Banuelos (13 assists) kept the offense moving. Despite strong starts to each set, the 'Cats were unable to get a win in Jenna Street's first game as head coach.
GAME 2
The Wildcats stormed out to early control in set one, taking the first set decisively 25-15. A late 8-1 run highlighted by an ace from Kaylea Rietdyk put the 'Cats up 1-0. The second set quickly became dominated by Linfield, and was capped off by a 8-2 run, giving the team their largest set win of the day, 25-13. After a dip in the third set went Pacific Union's way, avoiding the sweep. Set four opened 7-1 in favor of the Pioneers, until Taliloa took over and put the 'Cats up 17-15. Linfield regrouped in the fourth, using steady side-out play and strong defense to close out the Pioneers 25–19.
Setter Pi'ilani Hirahara guided the offense with 18 assists and eight digs, while Dannika Goss and Naia Alefaio-Foifua combined for 23 assists to keep the attack balanced. Libero Alefaio-Foifua again anchored the backcourt with 13 digs.
The Wildcats also held a 62–49 advantage in digs, and their serving pressure produced seven aces to Pacific Union's five.
The win evened Linfield's record at 1-1, and also earned head coach Jenna Street her first win as a Wildcat.
Linfield hits the road again in exactly one week, heading to Thousand Oaks, California, in hopes of evening the season series with Cal Lutheran. The 'Cats will also face Redland and Chapman to round out the weekend at the Cal Lu Fornia Invitational.
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