SPOKANE, Wash. – Visiting Linfield University rallied from two sets behind to hand Whitworth University its first Northwest Conference volleyball setback at home since 2019 on Saturday night in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.
Marina Erosa and Raelyn Hammock had 15 kills apiece for the Wildcats (7-8 overall, 3-5 NWC), who defeated the Pirates (12-4, 6-2) 20-25, 22-25, 25-20, 26-24, 16-14.
Whitworth never trailed in the opening set after jumping to a 4-1 lead. Jaye Hodge's kill made it 10-5 and a service ace from Megan Lange extended the lead to 17-11. Linfield got back within 19-17 on a kill from Kara Thomas, but a Hodge ace ended the set in the Pirates' favor. Ella Jimenez had four kills in the set for the Bucs.
The Pirates led most of the second game as well. Amblessed Okemgbo's kill made it 13-6 Whitworth. But Linfield pulled back within 20-18 on an error by Okemgbo. The Cats were still within 24-22 when Hodge's kill put Whitworth within one set of victory.
But that victory for the Pirates would not come.
Linfield trailed only once in the third set when Whitworth took a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats led the rest of the way, going up 10-5 on a kill from Hammock. The Pirates got within 21-17 on a block by Logan Spencer and Cassidy Franklin, but Hammock's kill ended the set in Linfield's favor. The Wildcats hit .310 in the third game and Hammock had six kills in the set.
The fourth set featured seven ties and four lead changes. Whitworth appeared in control after Abigail Hudson's kill gave the Bucs an 18-15 lead. Trailing 22-20, Linfield scored four straight points, including back to back kills by Ellie Mead. The Pirates tied it after consecutive kills from Hodge. Linfield won the set with a kill and a Whitworth error.
The Wildcats took the momentum into the fifth set, forging a 10-4 lead after a kill from Erosa. Whitworth fought back to within 11-10 on Megan Lange's service ace. Trailing 14-12, the Pirates survived two match points and tied it on a block by Jimenez and Hodge. Erosa answered with a kill and Paige Richards won it with an ace.
Hodge led Whitworth with 15 kills, while Jimenez had 14 kills and five blocks (one solo, four assists). Franklin finished with 10 kills and seven block assists. Lange (25) and Joelle Forbes (23) combined to dish 48 assists. Whitworth hurt itself with 11 service errors.
The Pirates will open the second round of Northwest Conference play at home next weekend against Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound.
