Bearcats Defeat Linfield in Straight Sets, 25-17, 25-17, 25-16

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Willamette University pounded 38 kills and limited Linfield University to 19 kills and a negative .021 hitting percentage, as the Bearcats downed the Wildcats in three sets, 25-17, 25-17, 25-16, in a Northwest Conference match on Thursday, April 1 at Ted Wilson Gym. Willamette advanced its record to 2-4 on the season, 2-4 in the NWC. Linfield fell to 0-7 overall, 0-7 in the NWC.

The Bearcats were led by Natalie Klotz (Jr., OH, Bonner Springs, KS/Bonner Springs HS) with 12 kills, Emma Porter (So., S, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) with 22 assists and 15 digs, and Shyla Sato (So., LIB, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) with 15 digs. Dani Queja (So., OH, Ewa Beach, CA/Maryknoll School) earned nine kills, while Kyana Benjamin (Sr., MH, Lubbock, TX/Lubbock HS) registered six kills, no attacking errors, and a .500 hitting percentage. Elena Vasquez (Sr., MH, Kingston, WA/North Kitsap HS) contributed four block assists.

For Linfield, Regan Dean achieved six kills and 10 digs. Raelynn Hammock was credited with five kills. Aylea Dixon provided the Wildcats with 15 assists, a team-high 11 digs, and four block assists. McKenzie Brock accumulated five block assists.

The Bearcats moved out to a 6-1 lead in the first set, as Benjamin, Arianna Khan (Sr., OH/OPP, Yuba, CA/River Valley HS), and Klotz each recorded a kill and Sato added a service ace. WU's lead expanded to 10-3 on a service ace by Klotz and reached 14-4 on a service ace from Vasquez.

Linfield pulled within six points twice, including 16-10 on a kill by Brock. Willamette scored eight of the next nine points, ending with a kill by Khan for a 24-11 advantage. Linfield went on a 6-0 run to cut the margin to 24-17 before Lexi Martin (So., MH, Bellevue, WA/Interlake HS) ended the set with a kill for the Bearcats.

A 7-0 lead for Willamette at the start of the second set prevented Linfield from gaining momentum. Klotz earned two kills and Sato produced two service aces during the run. The Wildcats put together a 5-0 run to reduce the lead to 7-5, but the Bearcats countered with five consecutive points to gain a 12-5 edge following a combo block by Klotz and Vasquez.

The Wildcats got as close as five points several times. Willamette went on a 5-0 outburst, including an ace by Sato and a kill by Klotz, to change an 18-13 margin into a 23-13 advantage. WU won the set, 25-17.

In the third set, the Bearcats took control early with a 7-1 lead, as Klotz recorded two kills and Porter added one kill. Linfield battled back to within 10-8 following a kill by Dean. A bit later Willamette led 17-14 before the Bearcats went on a 3-1 run for a 20-15 margin. Linfield scored on the next rally, but Porter and Benjamin tacked on kills for WU to start a 5-0 run to end the match.

Willamette will play Linfield at Cone Field House in Salem, Oregon, on Friday, April 2. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PDT).