Linfield Powers Past Lewis & Clark

With the win, Linfield improves to 9-5 overall, and 4-1 in the NWC.

Photo courtesy: Linfield Athletics

McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Linfield ran away with a clean sweep over the Lewis & Clark Pioneers in Northwest Conference volleyball action Friday night, winning by the scores 30-26, 30-20, and 30-28.

With the win, Linfield improves to 9-5 overall, and 4-1 in the NWC.

The ‘Cats remain a game behind first-place Pacific Lutheran, a 3-0 winner over Whitman tonight.

Lewis & Clark drops to 5-10 overall and 1-4 in the NWC.

Linfield won the first game of the night 30-26.

Stephanie Purser paced the ‘Cats with 14 assists in the opening frame, and Katelyn Baker finished with five of her game-high 17 kills.

Lewis & Clark's comeback fell just short after nearly coming back from a 21-9 deficit.

Jumping to an early 14-4 lead in Game 2, the Wildcats clinched the win by a final score of 30-20. L&C was never able to chip into a lead that was at 10 for most of the game.

In Game 3, the Pioneers came out poised to salvage a win during the match.

L&C held a lead throughout the early portion of the game, before Linfield got even at 16-16.

With a 5-0 run the ‘Cats would lead 21-16, before the Pioneers tied the game at 25-25.

With Linfield in control of a 29-25 edge, Lewis & Clark would cut the lead to one, before the Wildcats scored the final point of the night.

The difference in the match may have been the serves of Linfield.

The ‘Cats tallied 12 aces for the match, to Lewis & Clark’s one.

Lara Smith led the Pioneers with 18 assists, and Nicki Smith added a team-high nine kills.

Linfield converted .159 at the net to Lewis & Clark’s .117.

The Wildcats had three different players with double-digit in digs.

Rachael Rahn had a game-high 18 digs, Meghan Flink chipped in 15 and Baker picked up 10.

NEXT:

Linfield continues NWC action Saturday when traveling to Pacific. Lewis & Clark resumes play Saturday, hosting Willamette.

Adding comments to these stories has been disabled. View the current sports stories Salem-News Sports