By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Darian Stedman of Linfield College registered a match-high 13 kills to lead the Wildcats to a 3-0 victory over Willamette University, in the Northwest Conference opener for both teams on Friday, Sept. 15 at Ted Wilson Gymnasium. The Wildcats won the match, 25-17, 25-18, 25-21, to improve to 7-1 on the season, 1-0 in the NWC. The Bearcats fell to 3-6 overall, 0-1 in the NWC.

Stedman was joined in double-digits by Taylor Peterson, who connected on 10 kills for the Wildcats. Peterson finished the match with a .353 hitting percentage, while Stedman hit .333. The Wildcats amassed 44 kills and limited the Bearcats to 22 kills.

Eryka Keoho added eight kills for Linfield. The Wildcats received 12 digs from Kayla Magbaleta. Detyni Grace recorded 21 assists and Mattie Kelly earned 18 assists.

For Willamette, Jaiden Mason (Fr., S/OPP, Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian School) provided a team-high six kills and 13 assists. Kendall Fox (So., OH, Dupont, WA/Steilacoom HS) pounded out five kills. Emma Liband (Sr., MH, Sandpoint, ID/Sandpoint HS) achieved four kills and just on attacking error on nine attacks for a .333 hitting percentage.

Elena Vasquez (Fr., DS/OH, Kingston, WA/North Kitsap HS) and Nicolette Seina (Fr., LIB/DS, Honolulu, HI/Moanalua HS) each supplied Willamette with nine digs. Jo Stensaas (Jr., MH/OPP, Weed, CA/Weed HS) led WU with three total blocks, including two assists.

Linfield and Willamette were tied at 4-4 after eight rallies in the first set. The Wildcats earned the next two points to start a 7-2 run for an 11-6 advantage. Five players each recorded one kill for Linfield during the run.

The Wildcats eventually held leads of 15-7 and 19-11, but a quick 4-0 surge by the Bearcats, reduced the margin to 19-15. The last two points of the run were scored on a kill by Mason and a ball-handling error by the Wildcats. WU also trailed by just four points at 20-16, before Linfield closed the set with a 5-1 run.

Willamette opened a 5-2 lead in the second set, including a solo block by Stensaas and a combo block from Stensaas and Fox. Nine of the next 11 points went to the Wildcats, who moved in front, 11-7. Later, Linfield owned a slim 15-13 advantage following a kill by Mason. Stedman tacked on a kill to begin a 7-2 outburst by the Wildcats, who claimed a 22-15 lead. The set went to Linfield, 25-18.

The third set included seven ties and three lead changes. Willamette held leads of 6-4 and 7-6. A few points later, the teams were tied at 8-8. Linfield pulled into the lead with a kill by Stedman, and went on to increase its lead to 15-9. The Bearcats pulled within 16-14 on a service ace by Morgan Webster (Jr., S/DS, Milwaukie, OR/Milwaukie HS) to complete a 4-0 run.  

Four consecutive points were won by the Wildcats for a 20-14 margin. Willamette battled back to get as close as 24-21 on an attacking error by Linfield, but the match ended when Willamette's next serve was long.

The Bearcats will play again on Saturday, Sept. 16 with a home match against Pacific University as part of Homecoming/Alumni Weekend. Match time at Cone Field House is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PDT).