By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University volleyball team will start Northwest Conference play on Wednesday, Sept. 17, when the Bearcats host nearby rival Linfield College at Cone Field House. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PDT).

Willamette is off to a 5-4 start, including wins over West Region rivals Occidental College and the University of Redlands. Linfield is 1-4 on the season with a season-opening win over New Hope Christian College followed by four losses this past weekend at the Trinity Fall Classic in San Antonio, Texas.

Sarah Fincher (Jr., OH, Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.) leads Willamette with 109 kills and 3.52 kills per set. She owns a solid .223 hitting percentage and is averaging 2.35 digs per set.

Alexa Dowdell (So., MH/OPP, Mililani, HI/Maryknoll HS) has contributed 2.11 kills and 2.37 digs per set. Lindsey Compton (Jr., OH/S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Univ. of Hartford) has provided 8.27 assists per set while running the offense. In addition, Compton has registered 2.96 digs per set.

The Bearcats have received strong play from freshman libero Peyton Wahl (Fr., Richland, WA/Richland HS), who has achieved a team-high 4.0 digs per set. Alexa Becker (Fr., OH, El Dorado Hills, CA/Rider University) has earned 2.68 digs per set.

Willamette has played well on defense, limiting opponents to a .145 hitting percentage. The Bearcats have 17 block solos and 88 block assists for 1.85 teams total blocks per set.

Linfield's top hitters have been Kailana Ritte-Camara and Jamie Talbo. Camara leads the offensive chart with 2.72 kills per set while attaining a .237 hitting percentage. Kalbo ranks first on the team with a .309 hitting percentage and is averaging 2.11 kills per set. Molly McTaggart has produced 1.88 kills per set.

Setting duties have been split between Talso (4.94 assists per set) and Casie Gaza (4.44 assists per set). Courtney Uyeda leads the Wildcats with 4.24 digs per set.

Despite strong hitting from Ritte-Camara and Talbo, the Wildcats have a team hitting percentage of just .134. Linfield's opponents have hit .209 so far this season.

The Willamette versus Linfield match is the first Northwest Conference action for any of the nine NWC teams. Eight of the nine teams will be in action on Friday, Sept. 19, when the Bearcats will play at Lewis & Clark College. Match time in Portland, Ore., is set for 7 p.m. (PDT).