McMINNVILLE, Ore. (From Linfield SID Office) After losing the first game of the match, Linfield rallied back to win the next three games and run away with a Northwest Conference match against Whitworth Saturday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium. The scores were 31-33, 30-21, 30-23, and 30-20.

Moore had a match-high 33 digs for the Pirates

To start off the night, the Wildcats and Pirates played an epic first game. Linfield looked to have control after a 12-all tie, opening up a 17-12 lead. That lead evaporated and Linfield trailed 24-23, and no team would lead by more than one the rest of the way. That was until Holly Ridings’ (Sr., S, Spokane, Wash.) kill with the score 32-31 gave the Pirates a victory in game one.

Linfield’s quick 4-0 run got the Wildcats off to a good start in game two. The closest Whitworth would come was at 5-3, and after that Linfield led comfortably the rest of the way, claiming a 30-21 win.

In game three, the Wildcats jumped out again to a 4-0 lead. With the score 11-11, both teams matched each other point for point until Linfield took the last lead of the game at 18-17. From that point on the Wildcats led the rest of the way, aided by a 5-0 spurt, giving them a 23-18 advantage. From there on they ran away from the Pirates.

After an early 2-1 deficit in the fourth stanza, Linfield would never trail the rest of the way, as it went on take the fourth and final game of the match 30-20. Whitworth cut the lead to 17-15, before Linfield went on to outscore the Pirates 13-5.

Katelyn Baker was the offensive force for the Wildcats, leading them with 29 kills. Most of Baker’s kills came from the assistance of setter Stephanie Purser, who totaled 52 assists. On the defensive side, Rachael Rahn had 27 digs.

Cassie Moore (Sr., Lib, Spokane, Wash.) had a great defensive night for the Pirates, as she tallied 33 digs. Nikki Bardwell (Jr., OH, Colville, Wash.) totaled 16 kills and 11 digs, and Sarah Rusch (Jr., MB, Walla Walla, Wash.) had 15 digs and 4 block assists for Whitworth.

On the night Linfield was successful on .198 of their attacks, to Whitworth’s .118.