Wildcats drop final match of the weekend to Puget Sound

Puget Sound PS 8-6,5-1 NWC

Linfield Linf 6-7,3-3 NWC

Puget Sound PS

8-6,5-1 NWC

Final

Oct. 03, 2026

Linfield Linf

6-7,3-3 NWC

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	F
Puget Sound PS	25	25	25	(3)
Linfield Linf	20	22	15	(0)

Summary
Box Score

Kelly Bird, Linfield Sports Communications

Game Recap: Volleyball | 10/03 | Chase Fisk, Director of Athletic Communications

Wildcats drop final match of the weekend to Puget Sound

McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield volleyball (6-7, 3-3 NWC) battled throughout the first two sets but couldn't break through Saturday night, falling to Puget Sound (8-6, 5-1 NWC) in three sets, 25-20, 25-22, 25-15, at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.

The Wildcats erased an early 7-1 deficit in the opening set with an eight-point surge, taking a 9-7 lead behind three kills from Nora Myre and two from Madison Millard. Puget Sound regained control, but Linfield stayed close and pulled within 20-19 on a Tatum Montiel kill before the visitors closed the set on a 5-1 run.

Linfield and Puget Sound traded momentum throughout a tightly contested second set that featured six ties and three lead changes. The Wildcats remained within three points for nearly the entire frame and cut a late 22-19 deficit to 22-21 on kills from Kaitlyn Hough and Montiel. Linfield again pulled within two at 24-22 on another Montiel kill before Puget Sound finished the 25-22 set.

The Wildcats remained close early in the third, trailing just 9-7 after an Ascha Nielsen kill. Puget Sound then created separation, eventually building a 17-10 advantage. Linfield answered with a four-point run featuring a Madison Millard service ace and a Montiel kill to make it 17-14, but the visitors responded by taking eight of the final nine points to complete the sweep.

Montiel led the Linfield attack with eight kills on 18 attempts and a .333 hitting percentage. Myre added six kills and eight digs, while Katelyn Mawdsley finished with five kills. Millard totaled four kills and a service ace, and Hough added three kills.

Naia Alefaio-Foifua led the Wildcats defensively with 13 digs while adding four assists and an ace. Margaritah Banuelos recorded 12 assists, 10 digs and an ace, while Kaarina Geymann contributed 11 assists and four digs. Linfield finished with 30 kills, 27 assists, three aces and 45 digs.

The 'Cats homestand continues next Friday, hosting the Willamette Bearcats in Ted Wilson Gym at 7 p.m.

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.

Print Friendly Version