McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield volleyball (7-9, 4-5 NWC) battled back to even the match after dropping the opening set but ultimately fell to Whitman (8-7, 6-3 NWC) in four sets, 25-12, 21-25, 25-22, 25-16, Friday evening at Ted Wilson Gymnasium. The Wildcats moved to 7-9 overall and 4-5 in Northwest Conference play.
Whitman jumped out to an early 8-1 advantage in the opening set, forcing Linfield to play from behind. The Wildcats received kills from
Nora Myre,
Ascha Nielsen and
Tatum Montiel but struggled to establish an offensive rhythm. Whitman extended its lead to 18-8 before closing out the opening frame 25-12.
Linfield responded with a strong second set, using a six-point run to turn a 6-5 deficit into an 11-6 advantage.
Madison Millard delivered a service ace during the surge, while Montiel and
Katelyn Mawdsley contributed kills. The Wildcats later extended their lead to 18-12 behind a service ace from
Naia Alefaio-Foifua and a kill from
Kaitlyn Hough. Whitman rallied to cut the deficit to 24-21, but Montiel delivered the set-winning kill to secure a 25-21 victory and even the match at one set apiece.
The third set featured another comeback effort from the Wildcats. After falling behind 17-10, Linfield responded with a 10-3 run to tie the score at 20-20. Montiel recorded two kills during the rally, while Nielsen contributed a solo block and Hough delivered the tying kill. Whitman regained control with three consecutive points, but Linfield continued to battle, pulling within 23-22 on a block from Myre and Nielsen. Whitman claimed the final two points to take the set 25-22.
Whitman established an early advantage in the fourth set, building a 13-4 lead before Linfield began chipping away at the deficit. Myre helped spark the Wildcats with several kills, while Mawdsley and Montiel added offensive contributions. Linfield pulled within 20-15 following consecutive kills from Mawdsley and Montiel, but Whitman held off the comeback to secure the set 25-16 and the match.
Myre led Linfield with 14 kills on 39 attempts, hitting .231 while adding 16 digs for a double-double. Montiel followed with 12 kills on 34 swings and a .235 hitting percentage. Nielsen contributed six kills, one solo block and one block assist, while Hough and Mawdsley each finished with five kills.
Alefaio-Foifua anchored the Wildcats defensively with a team-high 18 digs, four assists and a service ace. Margaritah Banuelos and
Kaarina Geymann shared the setting duties, recording 16 assists apiece. Banuelos also added nine digs, while Millard finished with three kills, two service aces and three block assists.
As a team, Linfield totaled 47 kills, 39 assists, four service aces, 60 digs and five total blocks. The Wildcats finished with a .126 hitting percentage, while Whitman hit .225.
Volleyball looks to right the ship tomorrow night at home against the Whitworth Pirates at 6 p.m.
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