McMINNVILLE, Ore.  A tough night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium left Whitman College's volleyball team chasing host Linfield College most of the night in a 3-1 Northwest Conference loss that ended Whitman's four-match win streak while ending Linfield's four-match losing streak.

Other than the final game Whitman's chase of the Wildcats was just shy of a neck and neck battle. Whitman (6-6, 3-1 NWC) just wasn't able to get over the hump late in each game.

Linfield (6-4, 1-3) squeaked out a 25-23 victory in the opening game before taking the second by a mere five points, 25-20.

Whitman trailed late in the third, 23-22, but this time managed the hurdle of Linfield's late-game prowess by winning four of the next five points, capped by Codie Conching's service ace, to avoid the sweep with a 26-24 victory.

The momentum failed to last, however, as the Wildcats took the opening five points in the fourth game, eventually broke in front by 14, then withstood late Whitman rallies -- two stretches of four unanswered points -- to close out the upset on their home court.

Statistically, most of the stats were fairly even by the end of the match. Whitman registered a slight edge in hitting percentage (.168 to .163), had fewer attacking errors (18, to Linfield's 24) and equaled Linfield in total blocks at 9.0. Individually, Megan Henry's 15 kills led all attackers, and the 12 from Whitman teammate Shae Kanakaole was second most of all players. Anna Dawson dished out a match-high 23 assists, and Conching came up with 25 digs to lead all defenders.

Service errors did not make that 'fairly even' list, though. Whitman registered 12 errors on serve in the night against just one by Linfield. In games decided by only a few points those mistakes add up quickly as a self-inflicted hurdle.

Nonetheless, Whitman is still on its way toward a vast improvement over last fall's six-win team. Winning streaks are expected to end, and one loss doesn't doom a season -- especially as well as Whitman has played, with such a gritty, grinder mentality.

The comforts of Sherwood Athletics Center and the home crowd await Whitman in its next outings, Friday against visiting Pacific Lutheran University and Saturday against University of Puget Sound.