MCMINNVILLE, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball rallied from a 2-0 deficit but ran out of gas in the decisive fifth set, stumbling 3-2 (25-17, 25-21, 12-25, 12-25, 15-7) to host Linfield University in a Northwest Conference clash inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium. 

Trailing 2-0, the Lutes came alive in the third set, scoring 11 of the final 12 points to secure the 25-12 set win. Pacific Lutheran (5-6, 0-3 NWC) led wire-to-wire in the fourth set, including scoring nine of the first 11 points. PLU kept its foot on the accelerator the rest of the set, getting late kills from Baylee Johnson and Olivia Evaro to secure another 25-12 set win to force a fifth set.

The two teams traded jabs early in the fifth set before Linfield (6-4, 2-1 NWC) pulled away, scoring six straight and seven of the final eight points for the 15-7 win to take the match. 

The host Wildcats pulled away midway through the first set, scoring seven straight to stake a 16-7 lead. Linfield would lead the rest of the way, prevailing 25-17. Six consecutive points tilted the scales 19-12 in favor of Linfield in the second with the Cats cruising to a 25-21 victory to take a 2-0 lead. 

"It was a tough one to lose to an improved Linfield team that controlled the match in the first two sets," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki.

"We're proud of how we bounced back in sets three and four. We just couldn't sustain it in set five but we will bounce back tomorrow against Lewis & Clark."

Hailey Iha returned to the lineup and paced the Lutes with 11 kills while also adding four blocks. Elle Thomas had 10 kills with Johnson contributed another 10. Evaro had a match-high 36 assists with Tori Takeuchi netting a match-high 20 digs. Madeline Dawson added 11 digs with Makenna Jackson also adding 11.

The Lutes are back in action on Saturday night, facing Lewis & Clark College at 7 p.m.