Linfield University Athletics

SPOKANE, Wash. – Linfield volleyball (4-4, 1-0 NWC) overcame a first-set loss to win three straight frames and defeat reigning NWC champion Whitworth (6-2, 0-1 NWC) 3-1 Friday night at the Whitworth Fieldhouse. It's the Wildcats first win over the Pirates in nearly four years, and their first in less-than five sets since 2017.

Whitworth took the opening set 25-21, but Linfield responded by capturing each of the next three frames to complete the comeback. The match was back-and-forth throughout, featuring 31 ties and 17 lead changes, including 11 ties and six lead changes in the fourth set alone. 

The 'Cats tied the opening set up 21-21 after giving up an early lead, but Whitworth secured four-straight to take the opening set, 25-21.
 
Set two was closely contested for the most part, until Linfield pulled out to a 19-14 lead. Whitworth drew within one late but a kill from Myre helped the Wildcats level the match at one set a piece.

The largest lead in the third set was just three points, with the match coming down to a 23-23 tie. Myre came through in the clutch yet again, hammering home a kill and an ensuing service ace to go ahead of the reigning conference champions.

Whitworth tried to fight back in the fourth, but Margaritah Banuelos went on a 4-0 run behind the service line to take a 15-12 lead. A Linfield time out came after a 7-1 run put the Pirates ahead by three and as many as four in the set. Another 23-23 tie was broken by a Tatum Montiel kill and a Pirates attack error to secure the win.

It marked the 'Cats first win over the Pirates in Spokane since 2022, and their first four-set win over Whitworth since 2017.

Nora Myre paced the Wildcats offensively with a season-high 15 kills on 42 attempts while adding 11 digs, two service aces and a block assist. Katelyn Mawdsley followed with eight kills and eight digs, while Tatum Montiel contributed five kills. Madison Millard turned in an efficient performance with three kills on seven attempts without an attack error, good for a .429 hitting percentage.  

Linfield also made a major impact at the service line and net. Naia Alefaio-Foifua recorded four of the Wildcats' 12 aces while collecting a match-high 23 digs. Margaritah Banuelos added three aces, 13 assists and seven digs, while Bella Rodriguez chipped in two aces. Kaarina Geymann led Linfield with 15 assists. 

At the net, Ascha Nielsen totaled six block assists, the most by a Wildcat this season. While Kaitlyn Hough finished with a solo block and four block assists. Linfield totaled 10 blocks and held Whitworth to a .076 hitting percentage, helping the Wildcats secure their first conference victory of the season. 

Linfield returns tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. in Walla Walla, Washington, taking on the Whitman Blues to cap off the road trip.

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. 
 
 
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