BOX SCORE
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Lewis & Clark volleyball team extended its winning streak to seven games for the first time since 1990 with a 3-2 win over Linfield in a Northwest Conference match on 'Senior Night'.
Prior to the start of the contest, the Pioneers honored their families and lone senior Margaret Dowling. Dowling, a four-year starter for the Pios, is currently the Pioneers all-time leader in aces with 128, while ranking second all-time in kills (997) and block assists (180).
The Pioneers improve to 13-10 on the season and 9-4 in conference action with the victory. The Wildcats fall to 9-13 overall and 4-9 in the NWC.
Freshman Brigitte Russo led the Pioneers in kills with 10, while Dowling chipped in nine. Junior Leia Matsunaga ended the night with 36 assists, while Elena Hoff came up with 25 digs. Russo led the Pios at the net, recording two block solos and six block assists. Dowling, Matsunaga and Alicia Callejo-Black each had three block assists.
Kailana Ritte-Camara and Victoria Thompson each finished with a match-high 14 kills for the Wildcats, while teammate Audrey Frazier had a match-high 44 assists. Samantah Lau came up with 22 digs for Linfield and Thompson led the team at the net with four block assists.
After breaking a 12-12 deadlock on a service error by the Pioneers, the Wildcats took control of the lead in the first set and never looked back. Linfield went on a 13-5 run to close out the first set with a 25-17 victory.
The second set was a back and forth of long scoring rallies, with Linfield opening the set with a 4-1 advantage. The Pioneers then pulled within two points on a Wildcat attacking error to make the score 11-9. The Wildcats buckled down to surge ahead of the Pioneers once again, taking a 16-11 lead. Lewis & Clark continued to pressure Linfield, eventually coming from behind to tie the contest at 18-18, before taking the lead on an unforced Wildcat error. The lead was short lived as Linfield came back to earn a 24-21 lead. Facing set point, the Pioneers rallied back tying the game at 24-24 on a Wildcat error. Callejo-Black gave the Pios a 25-24 lead before another Wildcat error handed the Pios the win.
Lewis & Clark owned the majority of the third set, running up a 16-9 lead on multiple kills by Russo and Jennifer Dowdy. Linfield remained patient and came from behind to make the score 20-20 courtesy of several unforced errors by the Pioneers. The Wildcats then took the lead and eventually the set (25-23) on well placed attacks by Thompson and Leimomi Hookano.
The Pioneers picked up the first point of the fourth set on a Dowdy kill and made sure finish the set in control. After breaking a 12-12 deadlock on a Linfield error, the Pioneers held the lead the remainder of the set to win 25-21.
The fifth set was all Lewis & Clark as the Pioneers sealed the victory for Dowling in her final home contest 15-5.
Lewis & Clark returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. in Salem, Ore., against Willamette.
