GEORGETOWN, Texas – Linfield volleyball (3-3) opened the weekend at the Southwestern Invitational, falling to their two opponents in straight sets despite multiple late runs to close out the sets.
MATCH ONE
Linfield started quickly in the opening set, taking a 4-2 advantage behind a
Kaarina Geymann service ace and an
Ascha Nielsen block. The Wildcats remained within a point at 6-5 before Southwestern used a 4-0 run to create separation. Linfield later pulled close at 15-11 following a kill from
Tatum Montiel, but the Pirates controlled the closing stretch to take the set 25-16.
Southwestern opened the second set with nine consecutive points before Linfield responded with a 5-0 run highlighted by kills from
Kaitlyn Hough and
Madison Millard and a Nielsen block. The Wildcats continued to battle but could not overcome the early deficit in a 25-15 setback.
Linfield produced its strongest offensive performance in the third set, recording 12 kills and hitting .250. The Wildcats led 13-11 before Southwestern answered with five straight points. Linfield stayed within striking distance and cut the deficit to 20-19 on a Hough kill, but the Pirates scored the final five points to close out the match.
Hough led the Wildcats with seven kills, while
Katelyn Mawdsley and Montiel each added six. Mawdsley was efficient, hitting .556 with just one error on nine attacks. Nielsen recorded two solo blocks and a block assist, while
Naia Alefaio-Foifua paced the defense with 12 digs. Geymann and Margaritah Banuelos each handed out 11 assists, with Geymann also contributing two of Linfield's five service aces.
MATCH TWO
The Wildcats came out firing in the opening set, scoring the first six points behind a pair of
Madison Millard service aces and two kills from Nielsen. Hardin-Simmons eventually pulled even at 11-11, but Linfield answered and regained a 16-14 advantage following consecutive aces from
Bella Rodriguez. The Wildcats led 17-16 before Hardin-Simmons put together a five-point run to take control. Facing set point at 24-19, Linfield fought back with four consecutive points, including a Montiel kill and Alefaio-Foifua ace, before Hardin-Simmons escaped with the 25-23 win.
Linfield remained close early in the second set, taking a 5-3 lead after a Nielsen kill. Hardin-Simmons responded and eventually used a lengthy run to turn a 9-9 score into an 18-9 advantage. The Wildcats battled back late, scoring seven of nine points during one stretch, but could not erase the deficit in a 25-19 loss.
After falling behind 9-3 in the third, Linfield steadily chipped away. The Wildcats pulled within three at 20-17 before kills from
Kaitlyn Hough and Nielsen, along with a pair of blocks, helped Linfield close the gap to 24-22. Hardin-Simmons secured the next point to finish the match.
Nora Myre and Montiel shared the team lead with seven kills apiece, with Montiel hitting .217 and adding three block assists. Millard and Alefaio-Foifua each served three aces as Linfield finished with nine as a team.
Across the two matches, Montiel led Linfield with 13 kills, followed by Mawdsley with 12 and Myre and Hough with 10 apiece. Mawdsley posted the best combined hitting percentage among Wildcats with at least 10 attempts at .214, while Alefaio-Foifua totaled a team-high 27 digs. Banuelos and Geymann each distributed 20 assists.
Volleyball closes out the Southwestern Invitational tomorrow morning at 11:15 a.m. CDT against the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs.
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