Momentum Doesn't Hold As Wildcats Come Back For Win
Box Score
McMINNVILLE, Ore. – For the second straight match, Pacific could not make the momentum of a first set victory hold up as Linfield rebounded to beat the Boxers in four sets, 9-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-13, in Northwest Conference volleyball action Saturday at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
The Boxers (12-11, 6-8 NWC) rolled in the first set, smashing 16 kills while limiting Linfield to just four of their own in a 25-9 rout. The Wildcats (10-13, 5-9 NWC) came back to take close competitions in the second and third sets before the Boxers gave up 14 attack errors in the fourth in the loss.
Kelsy Takashima (Sr., Kaunakakai, Hawaii) led Pacific with 20 kills and a .395 hitting percentage to go along with two aces, seven digs and a block.
Mariah McHolland (So., Renton, Wash.) and
Keahi Braginsky-Ahloo (So., Wahiawa, Hawaii) each had 11 kills.
Malea Webb (Fr., Spokane, Wash.) finished with 18 assists and
Jade Thompson (Jr., Marysville, Wash.) had 21 digs.
Kailana Ritte-Camara led Linfield with 12 kills while Victoria Thompson added 11 kills. Audrey Frazier had a double-double of 26 assists and 17 digs while Samantha Lau had 35 digs.
Pacific could do no wrong in the first set as they connected for 16 kills and a .467 hitting percentage. A five-set run paced by two Braginsky-Ahloo kills gave the Boxers a 13-4 lead and a Linfield attack error made it a 19-8 game.
Haley Bedell (Fr., Bothell, Wash.) served the Boxers out with five straight points, with Takashima's kill giving Pacific the 25-9 win. Linfield connected for just four kills in the frame, hitting -.069.
The Boxers held the lead early in the second set, going up 8-5 on a Linfield ball-handling error. The Wildcats bounced right back to score the next seven points, taking the lead on Kelsey Ludin's kill before expanding the lead to 12-8 on back-to-back attack errors. Pacific trailed by as much as five before coming back to tie at 23-23 on Thompson's service ace. Victoria Thompson and Shayli Coppock closed out with kills that gave Linfield the 25-23 win.
In the third set, it looked as if Pacific would take control back as they vaulted out to a 9-2 lead on a Bedell service ace. As quickly as the lead was built it was gone as Leimoni Hookano tied the set at 15-15 and the Wildcats built the 21-18 lead on a Pacific rotation error. Victoria Thompson had two kills down the stretch to secure the 25-22 win for Linfield.
The Wildcats put things away early in the fourth set, taking advantage of six Pacific attack errors to build a commanding 11-0 lead. Pacific would come no closer than eight points the rest of the match.
Pacific will wrap up their 2011 season next weekend in need of one win to secure a winning season. The Boxers will host Willamette on Friday and Pacific Lutheran on Saturday.
