No. 7 Linfield Downs Pacific in Four Games

Pacific will look to return to the win column next Friday when they return home to Forest Grove to host Lewis & Clark.

Linfield's Lauren Kreiger Photo: Linfield College

McMINNVILLE - For the second night in a row, Pacific benefited from a strong hitting performance, but it was not enough to take down No. 7 Linfield as the Wildcats won in four games, 30-23, 30-19, 25-30, 30-18, in Northwest Conference volleyball action at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.

The Boxers (4-10, 1-3 NWC) started slow, hitting even in game one and .070 in game two, but won game three by knocking down 21 kills against only one attack error.

Pacific finished with a .172 percentage and had three players in double digit kills, led by Jill Peacock's 17.

Megan Van Domelen and Melissa Dunn each had 10.

Linfield (11-0, 4-0 NWC), meanwhile, maintained its unblemished record for the 2006 season thanks to a .284 attack percentage.

Katelyn Baker led the Wildcats with 17 kills and benefited from 86 digs, led by 31 from Hannah Veley.

The Wildcats held easy control over the first two games, pulling ahead from a close start in game one to take an 18-12 lead on a Pacific setting error. Pacific proved resilient, pulling back to within to 21-19 on a pair of kills by Van Domelen.

Three attack errors in the final points, however, kept Pacific from challenging for the win as Kelsey French's kill ended it at 30-23.

Linfield never trailed in game two, pulling ahead 18-9 on a kill from Molly Taylor and building a 12-point lead on a Pacific setting error.

The Boxers pulled to within six late on a Linfield attack error before an ace and a kill by Lisa Brocard sealed the game.

Pacific found renewed energy in game three, vaulting ahead 10-5 on a kill by Van Domelen.

Linfield would come back to tie things at 14-14, but would never lead as the Boxers built the advantage back to three, 24-21, on a Peacock kill.

Three kills from Dunn won it for the Boxers at 30-25.

The Boxers appeared ready to send things to a deciding game in the fourth set, building a 6-3 lead on Sarah Braun's service ace.

Linfield would not be denied, taking the lead on Chelsey Gellatly's ace and going up seven on a French kill. Lauren Krieger dealt the final blow to the Boxers, winning on six serves late on three kills by Taylor to put the match out of reach.

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