SALEM, Ore. – Linfield volleyball (10-13, 7-9 NWC) 2026 volleyball season Saturday evening, falling to Willamette (12-11, 9-7 NWC) in straight sets. The Bearcats claimed the Northwest Conference matchup by scores of 25-20, 25-17 and 25-17.Â
Linfield finished its season with a 10-13 overall record and a 7-9 mark in conference play, placing the Wildcats sixth in the conference standings.
The Wildcats opened the first set facing an early 3-0 deficit before responding with five consecutive points, highlighted by kills from Kaitlyn Hough and Nora Myre. Linfield extended its advantage to 12-8 behind another kill from Myre, but Willamette answered with a five-point run to take a 13-12 lead. The Bearcats gradually built their advantage to 20-15 before the Wildcats attempted a late rally. Katelyn Mawdsley delivered two kills down the stretch, while Myre and Madison Millard added offensive contributions, but Willamette secured the opening set 25-20.
Linfield responded with a strong start in the second frame, jumping ahead 5-1 behind kills from Hough, Tatum Montiel and Millard. The Wildcats maintained a narrow advantage through the early stages before Willamette rallied to even the score at 7-7. Linfield regained the lead at 10-8 following a kill from Myre, but the Bearcats answered with a scoring run to take an 18-13 advantage. Montiel and Myre helped Linfield trim the deficit to 19-17, with Myre delivering consecutive kills during the rally. Willamette responded by scoring the final six points of the set to claim a 25-17 victory and take a commanding 2-0 match lead.
Facing elimination, Linfield opened the third set with consecutive points, including a block from Mawdsley and Hough. The Bearcats responded with a five-point stretch to establish a 10-5 advantage before the Wildcats attempted to regain momentum. Mawdsley and Myre recorded kills to keep Linfield within striking distance, but Willamette extended its lead to 20-12. Camryn Hirst provided a late offensive spark with a kill, while Myre and Hough added two more kills apiece during the closing stretch. Despite the effort, Willamette secured the final set 25-17 to complete the sweep.
Myre paced the Linfield offense with 10 kills, adding 12 digs to record a double-double. Montiel contributed six kills and 14 digs, while Hough and Mawdsley finished with five kills apiece. Hough hit a team-best .200 among Wildcats with at least 10 attack attempts, committing just one error on 20 swings.
Naia Alefaio-Foifua anchored the defensive effort with a match-high 21 digs, while Kaarina Geymann directed the offense with 17 assists and seven digs. Kaylea Rietdyk and Bella Rodriguez each contributed six digs, and Jocie Snyder added five.
Jenna Street's second season as the 'Cats head coach comes to a close with a second-consecutive season that featured seven NWC wins. It's the first time a Linfield team has won 7+ conference matches in consecutive seasons since 2015-2016. For Street, it is also the first time she has eclipsed double-digit wins in a season, a Linfield first since 2017.
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