FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 1st, 2026
Portland, Ore. | The Warner Pacific University women's volleyball team took the court for the first time this season Tuesday night, battling Linfield University in a tightly contested five-set match. The Knights ultimately came up just short, falling to the Wildcats in five sets, 25-8, 19-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-11.
Linfield set the pace early in the opening set, recording 14 kills on its way to a 25-8 victory. Warner Pacific quickly regrouped, however, responding with a much stronger effort in the second set.
The Knights capitalized on Linfield errors while finding their rhythm offensively to take the second set, 25-19. Warner Pacific carried that momentum into the third, edging the Wildcats 25-23 to take a 2-1 advantage in the match.
Facing defeat, Linfield responded in the fourth set. The Wildcats regained control and forced a deciding fifth set with a 25-17 victory.
Warner Pacific continued to battle in the fifth, but Linfield was able to create enough separation down the stretch to secure the set, 15-11, and escape with the five-set victory.
The Knights' defensive effort helped keep them in the match throughout the night, as Warner Pacific finished with 80 total digs and continually extended rallies against the Wildcats.
"We started off slow with nerves in the first set, but once we found our groove, we played well and served tough in the second and third sets," head coach Nerisa Laban said. "The fourth and fifth sets we battled until the end. I am super proud of our progress and grit tonight. I told the girls to continue to stay aggressive, stay hungry, and to keep fighting."
Josie Schultz and TayahAnne Toa paced the Warner Pacific attack with seven kills apiece, while Amor Rapoza added five kills, two service aces and a team-high 10 assists. Rapoza also led the Knights defensively with 18 digs. Daisci Burrows contributed 16 digs and nine assists, while Madison Flores added 13 digs.
Next Up
The Knights will have a quick turnaround as they return to the court Wednesday for a home scrimmage. Action is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. inside the C.C. Perry Gym/Fitness Center.
