McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield volleyball (6-8, 3-4 NWC) battled through four competitive sets Friday evening but ultimately fell to Willamette (6-8, 3-4 NWC) 3-1 (25-20, 18-25, 27-25, 25-23).
The opening set featured several early lead changes as Linfield built a 14-12 advantage behind kills from
Nora Myre and
Ascha Nielsen and a service ace from
Kaarina Geymann. Willamette responded with a 5-0 run to take a 17-14 lead before eventually claiming the opening frame 25-20.
Linfield bounced back in the second set after trailing 11-5, using a 10-2 surge to take a 15-13 advantage. Myre powered the comeback with four kills during the stretch, while
Katelyn Mawdsley and
Madison Millard combined for a block to tie the score at 13. The Wildcats continued to build momentum, extending their lead to 21-15 before closing out the set 25-18 to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set proved to be the most dramatic of the evening. After falling behind 23-17, Linfield mounted an impressive comeback, scoring eight of the next nine points to take a 25-24 lead. Myre delivered back-to-back service aces during the rally, while Mawdsley and
Tatum Montiel added crucial kills. A block from Millard and Montiel gave Linfield set point, but Willamette responded with three consecutive points to escape with a 27-25 victory.
Willamette jumped ahead 11-3 in the fourth set, forcing Linfield to battle from behind once again. The Wildcats chipped away at the deficit behind kills from Myre, Mawdsley and Montiel, along with service aces from
Naia Alefaio-Foifua and Geymann. Despite the comeback effort, Willamette held on for a 25-23 victory to secure the match.
Myre led Linfield offensively with a match-high 14 kills for the Wildcats, adding 17 digs and three service aces for a double-double. Mawdsley contributed eight kills and two block assists, while
Kaitlyn Hough finished with seven kills on a .208 hitting percentage. Nielsen and Montiel each recorded six kills, with Nielsen adding two solo blocks and one block assist.
Geymann directed the Wildcats' offense with 18 assists, seven digs and two service aces, while Margaritah Banuelos added 14 assists and 11 digs.
Bella Rodriguez recorded a team-high four service aces, and Alefaio-Foifua contributed 15 digs and two aces.
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