FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Linfield volleyball (3-1) suffered their first loss of the 2026 season Saturday afternoon, falling to Azusa Pacific in three sets at the Stoller Center on the Pacific University campus. The Wildcats dropped the neutral-site matchup 25-17, 25-14, 25-14, moving to 3-1 on the season.
Linfield stayed close throughout the opening portion of the first set, using back-to-back kills from
Ascha Nielsen and
Kaitlyn Hough to take a 10-8 advantage. The Wildcats remained within two at 15-13 before Azusa Pacific pulled away late for the 25-17 win. Azusa Pacific is currently in the process of transitioning from NCAA Division II to Division III.
The Wildcats again put together a strong stretch during the second set. After falling behind 8-6, Linfield rattled off six consecutive points to take a 12-8 lead.
Katelyn Mawdsley and Hough each contributed kills during the run. Azusa Pacific responded, however, closing the frame on a 17-2 run to take the set 25-14. The Cougars carried their momentum into the third and completed the straight-sets with a 25-14 decision.
Nielsen paced Linfield offensively with seven kills on 12 attempts, hitting .333 while adding a solo block.
Nora Myre, Hough and Mawdsley each contributed five kills, with Myre adding six digs and both of Linfield's service aces. Margaritah Banuelos recorded 14 assists and 11 digs, while
Kaarina Geymann finished with eight assists.
Naia Alefaio-Foifua led the Wildcats defensively with 13 digs and added four assists.Â
The 'Cats will head to their second tournament of the non-conference slate next weekend, competing in three matches at the Southwestern (TX) Invitational in Georgetown, Texas, starting on Friday at 12:15 p.m. CT.
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