McMINNVILLE, Ore. – In the first match on the home court this season, Linfield looked to impress its fans with a stellar victory Tuesday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium. But on a hot and humid night, Blue Mountain Community College snatched a four-set exhibition victory from the Wildcats. The scores were 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 25-19.

With countless furious rallies typifying the highly competitive match, Kailana Ritte-Camara (Jr., Molokai, Hawaii) led the way for Linfield with 18 kills while libero Courtney Uyeda (Soph., Honolulu, Hawaii) managed to dig up a team-high 15 balls. Linfield setter Audrey Frazier (Jr., Albany, Ore.) assisted her teammates 23 times on the night while Casie Gaza (Fr., Mililani, Hawaii) added 15 assists.

On the other side of the net, Blue Mountain’s Kendra De Hoog tallied up 18 kills and libero, Piper Cantrell, picked up 31 digs leading the Timberwolves.

After a reeling off a 5-1 start to the first set, the Wildcats cooled after their sixth point and never regained the lead, losing by four.

The second set was another story, however. Linfield stormed back and dominated, with Ritte-Camara pounding four of the Wildcats’ 16 kills in the frame. The ‘Cats outhit BMCC .286 to -.031 to square the match at 1.

Trailing 18-11 in the third set, the Wildcats rallied to score six unanswered points, pulling within one, 18-17. It was a back-and-forth battle the rest of the way with the Timberwolves hanging on for a two-point decision.

With their backs to the wall in the fourth stanza, Linfield fought until the end. Victoria Thompson (Jr., Newberg, Ore.) pounded three of the Wildcats 13 kills in the set, on her way to 12 kills. Thompson also contributed two service aces and a pair of block assists.

BMCC’s Piper Cantrell accounted for a match-best 31 digs. Timberwolves setter Sam Odren totaled 34 assists, five digs and four kills.

Blue Mountain, last season's NWAACC champion, improved its record to 11-0 for the season.

COMING UP: The Wildcats begin Northwest Conference play Friday, Sept. 20, at defending champion Puget Sound. Match time is set for 7 p.m. The following night, Linfield visits Pacific Lutheran, also at 7.