The Linfield volleyball team lost its match against Puget Sound 2-3 Saturday, making it the fourth loss in a row.

The start of the game seemed promising as Linfield won set one 25-19 and set two 28-26.

But the Loggers fought back and won the third set 25-22 and the fourth set 26-24, forcing the game to five sets.

And the Loggers once again edged out the Wildcats, 16-14.

“Even though it ended in a loss, it is not something we should hang our heads over,” Freshman Regan Dean said.

“Puget Sound did a great job and had some hitters who made a lot of clutch plays for them. But we never stopped battling or gave up when we were down. We gave it all we had and did a lot of great things out on the court.”

Linfield leaders were junior Eryka Keoho with 16 kills, junior Darian Stedman with four aces, junior Taylor Petersen with seven blocks, freshman Destyni Grace with 30 assists, and junior Kayla Magbaleta with 17 digs.

Sophomore Taylor Souza said the team met its goal of doing a better job of blocking and serving.

“We had a very strong start, made a lot of good plays happen, and really improved on the things we said we had to work on since the previous games,” she said.

“In practice we are going to work on the little things that will bring the whole game together for us.”

Dean said the team is athletically capable, but it struggles with getting out of ruts.

“We all have the physical talents as players to win these matches. I think we’re losing because of our mental weaknesses,” she said.

After the loss, Linfield is now ranked sixth in the Northwest Conference with a record of 2-4 and an overall record of 8-5.

The team hopes to end its losing streak with a win against Whitworth at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, in Walla Walla, Wash.

“We just need to keep focusing and working hard every time we practice. As long as we get better every time we touch the court, the wins will come,” Dean said.