Linfield Sweeps Lewis & Clark

Linfield takes takes to the road for its longest road trip of the conference schedule. Friday night, the Wildcats meet Whitworth in Spokane, Wash. Saturday, Linfield battles Whitman at Walla Walla’s Sherwood Center. The Pioneers are on the road next week, playing at George Fox Wednesday night and at Pacific Lutheran Saturday evening.

Photo: Linfield College

McMINNVILLE - Sixth-ranked Linfield took care of business Saturday night during a three-game Northwest Conference sweep of Lewis & Clark inside Pamplin Sports Center.

The Wildcats (14-1, 7-1 NWC) beat the Pioneers (6-12, 4-4 NWC) 30-25, 30-23, 30-25.

Linfield started slow but steadily built momentum. Big hits by L&C’s Nicki Smith and Sara Kettler gave the Pioneers an early 9-6 advantage. The ‘Cats roared back, launching a 5-1 run that included three kills by Kelsey French. Linfield led the rest of the way and held on for a five-point victory.

Game two was nip and tuck with the two teams trading leads throughout. Three straight kills by French gave the Wildcats a 24-21 advantage, a margin they would not relinquish en route to a 30-23 decision.

Linfield was in control much of the third game, taking a 26-16 lead following a pair of kills by Lisa Brocard. The Pioneers refused to roll over, mounting a late surge. Kills by Danielle Johnson and Kelsey Clark highlighted the Pioneer rally that pulled the hosts within six, 27-21. L&C closed the gap to four, 29-25, on an Andrea Chase kill, but Michelle Wyatt finished off the match with a kill for Linfield.

For the Wildcats, Lauren Kreiger totaled 17 kills, 17 digs, and three block assists. French had 15 kills and Brocard finished with nine. Wildcats setter Chelsey Gellatly spread around 42 assists while adding 11 digs, three kills and two aces.

Andrea Chase had led the Pioneers with 14 kills, 12 assists, and six digs. Kettler had five kills and was part of six of the Pioneers' eight blocks (two solo, four assisted).

Linfield outhit the Pioneers .284 to .134.

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