McMINNVILLE, Ore. - The Lewis & Clark volleyball team fought back after being down two sets to tie their match at Linfield 2-2 before the Wildcats squeezed out a 15-12 win in the deciding set.

The loss drops the Pioneers to 10-10 on the season and 4-7 in Northwest Conference action, while the Wildcats improve to 8-8 overall and 7-4 in conference.

Isabel Valentine led the Pioneers with 14 kills and three blocks. Brigitte Russo ended the night with 12 kills and 12 digs, while Ali Carleton had 11 kills, nine digs and two blocks. Vanessa Hall led the team with 23 assists, while Emily Drake concluded the match with 20 assists. Alexe Navarro led the Pioneers with 28 digs.

Kailana Ritte-Camara ended the match with 14 kills for the Wildcats, while Caiti Barrie and Jamie Talbo each had 11 kills.

The Pioneers held an early lead in the first set, but after tying the game at 8-8, the Wildcats took over to take the set 25-15. The second set was much the same with the Pios jumping out early just to watch the set slip away moments later.

Lewis & Clark was once again able to take an early lead in the third set but Linfield was not out of it tying the contest on several occassions. A ball handling error by the Wildcats made it a 12-11 set in the Pioneers favor. Lewis & Clark would not look back going onto take the set 25-16. Despite only winning 25-22 in the fourth set, the Pioneers never trailed the Wildcats, coming all the way back to tie the match at 2-2 all.

In the fifth and final set, the Pioneers fell behind early but found a way to come back to pull within a point. However, the Wildcats had just enough to pick up a very close 15-12 victory.

The Pioneers return to the court on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. against Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash.