McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Tatum Montiel's match-high 19 kills helped Linfield volleyball (10-12, 7-8 NWC) battle past Pacific (2-20, 1-14 NWC) in five sets Friday evening inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium.Â
The opening set featured a tightly contested battle, with neither team able to establish a significant advantage early. Linfield broke a 15-15 tie with three consecutive points, highlighted by a service ace from Kaarina Geymann and a block from Nora Myre and Marissa Thompson. The Wildcats extended their lead to 22-16 before Pacific responded with seven unanswered points to take a 23-22 advantage. Montiel delivered consecutive kills late in the frame to keep Linfield within striking distance, but the Boxers claimed the opening set 27-25.
Linfield responded emphatically in the second set, jumping out to a 4-0 lead behind a service ace from Madison Millard and consecutive blocks involving Kaitlyn Hough, Dani Pomele and Montiel. The Wildcats extended their advantage to 12-4 before Myre sparked a six-point scoring run with three kills and a service ace, pushing the lead to 19-6. Montiel continued to pace the offense, recording six kills in the frame as Linfield hit .394 without committing an attack error. The Wildcats closed the set with four consecutive points to secure a dominant 25-9 victory and even the match.
Pacific regained control in the third set, opening with four consecutive points before Linfield battled back to tie the score at 4-4 behind consecutive service aces from Millard. The Boxers eventually extended their advantage to 16-11, but the Wildcats continued to fight behind offensive contributions from Montiel, Myre and Hough. Linfield pulled within four points late in the frame, but Pacific secured the third set 25-18 to take a 2-1 match advantage.
Facing elimination, Linfield delivered a strong fourth-set performance, using a balanced offensive attack and timely defensive plays to regain momentum. Montiel provided consecutive kills to give the Wildcats a 9-7 advantage before adding two service aces during a five-point scoring run that extended Linfield's lead to 17-10. Myre followed with consecutive kills, while Millard and Hough combined for key contributions down the stretch. The Wildcats limited Pacific to a negative .138 hitting percentage in the frame, cruising to a 25-15 victory and forcing a decisive fifth set.
Linfield carried its momentum into the final frame, opening with four consecutive points behind a kill and service ace from Millard. Montiel and Myre continued to lead the offensive effort as the Wildcats established an 8-3 advantage at the change of sides. Pacific trimmed the deficit to 11-9, but Linfield responded with four consecutive points, highlighted by a solo block from Millard and a match-clinching kill from Montiel, to secure the 15-9 victory.
Montiel led the Wildcats offensively with 19 kills on 48 attempts, hitting .271 while adding eight digs and two service aces. Myre delivered a strong all-around performance with 13 kills, 11 digs, two service aces and two total blocks. Hough contributed eight kills and three block assists, while Millard finished with six kills, four service aces and four total blocks, including three solo stops.
Geymann directed the Linfield offense with 31 assists, nine digs and a service ace. Naia Alefaio-Foifua anchored the defensive effort with a team-high 12 digs, adding four assists and a service ace. Pomele contributed three block assists, while Maria Alvarez recorded three digs and a service ace.
Linfield honored their seven seniors following the match: Maria Alvarez, Margarita Banuelos, Camryn Hirst, Nora Myre, Kaylea Rietdyk, Bella Rodriguez, and Jocie Snyder. This group of seniors helped Linfield volleyball earn the most NWC wins in consecutive seasons in nearly a decade.
The Wildcats season comes to a close tomorrow evening in Salem, taking on the Willamette Bearcats at 6 p.m. with hopes of avenging the season's first matchup.Â
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