WELCOME TO LINFIELD UNIVERSITY
ATHLETIC
Scott Brosius
EVENT MANAGER
Jamie Vasas
COMMUNICATIONS
Conner Jensen, Kelly Bird
STATISTICS
Kira Hawaaboo, Jordan Hayes
PUBLIC ADDRESS AND SCOREBOARD
Steve Oleson
VIDEO WEBCASTS
Eric Albios, Brian Kice, Joe Stuart
OFFICIAL SCORER
Leslie Benton
EVENT PROGRAM
Kelly Bird, Conner Jensen, Jake Downing, Felipe Unker
8 marina erosa
TED WILSON GYMNASIUM
Ted Wilson Gymnasium bears the name of the man who coached the Linfield basketball team to more championships than any individual in school history. Over 20 seasons, Wilson directed the Wildcats in over 500 games, compiling a 324-213 record. Riley Gymnasium was nicknamed the “House of Hustle” out of respect for Wilson’s high-scoring teams, which averaged a school-record 96.5 points a game during the 1977-78 season. The nickname remained when Wilson Gym replaced Riley Gym in 1989.
The numerous accomplishments of past championship teams and individuals from each of Linfield’s varsity sports programs now proudly encircle Wilson Gym’s court. Sixtysix banners now surround Wilson Gym’s playing surface and include every program with championship success. All team and individual national champions are recognized, as well as all national runners-up, both team and individual.
Additionally, a summary of every sport’s conference championship history is displayed, with some conference championship listings dating as far back as the 1930s.
The full-service facility contains locker rooms, offices and classrooms, a fully equipped athletic training room along with display areas that house the trophies and recognitions
of past Linfield teams and athletes.
In 1920, Riley Gym was built adjacent to historic Pioneer Hall at a cost of just over $25,000. Riley Gym served as the basketball home of the Wildcats for 67 seasons. A granddaddy of small college gyms, Riley played host to its first game in December, 1921, and its last game in February, 1989.
Linfield’s first on-campus basketball court was located on the north end of campus in the building now known as Newby Hall. The floor was miniature by today’s standards and there were no boundary lines. The surrounding walls prevented players from leaving the playing area. As a game was about to start, someone would check that all the doors were closed tight, the ball would be tipped off at center court, and it was every player for himself.
Up until 1907, Newby Hall, nicknamed the “Chem Shack,” was illuminated by candles with tin reflectors. In this era, many of the gyms the Wildcats played in were smaller and even more primitive than the one on the Linfield campus.
Around 1900, Linfield played its home basketball games in the old pavilion in the city park. Following practices and games, players had to heat their own shower water using a wood-burning boiler.
TED WILSON GYMNASIUM
HEAD COACH LACEY BELL
no stranger to the sport
Though Linfield is Lacey Bell’s first collegiate head coaching job, she’s not new to leading high-caliber volleyball programs
Lacey Bell has been named interim head coach of the Linfield University volleyball program, bringing with her 15 years of professional and semi-professional international playing experience to her new position.
Bell comes to Linfield from Pacific University, where her most recent role came as an assistant varsity coach and recruiting coordinator. She also was in charge of leading the Boxers’ junior varsity program.
Her volleyball resume is unique, combining extensive playing and coaching opportunities. As noted, she has 15 years of professional and semi-professional international playing experience, most notably as player-coach and seniors elite team captain with Volley Ball Pexinois Niort France, a club team located in France’s central-west coast region.
While in France, she taught American culture and language to students in grades 5-12 and headed Volley Ball Pexinois Niort France’s
development youth program, coaching boys and girls ages 6-17.
Bell began her collegiate playing career at Eastern Washington University before transferring to Gonzaga University for her final three seasons. She completed a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political science at Gonzaga, where she was a member of the Bulldogs volleyball squad as a right-side hitter and outside hitter.
Bell earned a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Poitiers in France. She holds regional and national French Volleyball Federation coaching certifications.
She becomes just the fifth Wildcats head coach in the last 45 years, succeeding Haley Domeck, who led the program for four seasons.
lacey bell
PROUD PARTNER OF LINFIELD ATHLETICS
anela madarang-brandes | 1
5-2 | Junior | DS Waipahu, Hawaii
paige richards | 3
5-5 | Senior | DS/L Arlington, Washington
dannika goss | 2
5-9 | Freshman | S Tillamook, Oregon
PAIGE PA’ALUHI | 5
5-5 | Sophomore | DS/OH Mililani, Hawaii
camryn hirst | 12
5-10 | Sophomore | MB/RS Orinda, California
marina erosa | 8
5-9 | Senior | OH Wilmington, California
NORA MYRE | 11 5-8 | Sophomore | OH/MB Redmond, Washington
katelyn mawdsley | 13 5-10 | Sophomore | MB/RS Orinda, California
cam coughlin | 17 5-6 | Sophomore | RS/OH Bend, Oregon
JOURNEY DEPONTE | 4 5-7 | Sophomore | MB/RS Mililani, Hawaii
sydney downing | 7
5-5 | Junior | L/DS Sumner, Washington
Kanoe contreras | 14
5-5 | Freshman | S/DS Honolulu, Hawaii
Araeya watanabe | 16 5-7 | Junior | OH/RS Salem, Oregon
kaitlyn hough | 10 5-11 | Freshman | RS/OH St. John, Washington
Madison millard | 19
6-1 | Freshman | MB Kailua, Hawaii
Malia Haynes | 22
5-7 | Freshman | DS/L Richland, Washington
aiyana Henderson Assistant Coach
loke carter | 24
5-10 | Freshman | RS/MB Hilo, Hawaii
bella rodriguez | 18 5-6 | Sophomore | DS/L Keizer, Oregon
emma laurel| 26
5-7 | Freshman | DS/L Kailua, Hawaii
LACEY BELL Head Coach (Interim)
P’i’ilani hirahara | 6 5-7 | Sophomore | MB/RS Honolulu, Hawaii
kimiko sisson | 9
5-10 | Freshman | MB/RS Ewa Beach, Hawaii
margaritah banuelos | 15
5-6 | Sophomore | S Auburn, Washington
2024 LINFIELD WILDCATS
to right: Anela Madarang-Brandes, Ainsley Medina, Sydney Downing, Paige Richards, Margaritah Bañuelos, Paige Pa’aluhi, Journey DePonte, Bella Rodriguez, Araeya Watanabe, Katelin Sindelar, Nora Myre, Marina Erosa, Ryli Kalahiki, Camryn Hirst, Claire Johnson, Cam Coughlin, Lexi Correa.
Left
LINFIELD WILDCATS
GEORGE FOX BRUINS
LINFIELD VERSUS GEORGE FOX
match breakdown
16 araeya watanabe
THE RECORDS
Coming off its first Northwest Conference win of the season, Linfield (4-8, 1-5 NWC) looks to keep the momentum rolling. This week, the Wildcats paused NWC play with a match against Western Oregon earlier this week before resuming conference play at Willamette last night before returning home to host George Fox this evening. The Bruins (7-8, 3-3 NWC) knocked off the Wildcats earlier this season in a nonconference bout in Newberg.
LINFIELD AT A GLANCE
Lacey Bell’s group seems to have found its identity after putting together solid back-to-back performances in a fiveset battle with Whitman and a 3-0 sweep of Lewis & Clark. Sophomore Nora Myre persists as Linfield’s leader in kills with 110, good for eighth-most in the NWC. The Eastlake High School product also leads the team in digs with 104.
Paige Richards directs the libero position with 101 digs and 12 service aces. Marina Erosa has settled in nicely on the front line with 75 kills while freshman Madison Millard has burst onto the scene with 31 blocks in 2024.
GEORGE FOX AT A GLANCE
Coming off two straight losses to Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran, George Fox is hungry to get back on track with weekend matchups against Lewis & Clark and Linfield. Gracie Bearden commands the Bruins offense with 164 kills, ranking second in the conference. Piper Harrop leads an effective defense with an NWC-leading 322 digs. Addison Coulter has proven to be dangerous from the backline with 38 aces on
NORTHWEST CONFERENCE
vollEYball STANDINGS
WHEN ACADEMICS MEETS ATHLETICS
Softball star Kaili Saathoff loves the process of working to solve a complex mathematics or physics equation
Very few student-athletes come close to matching the academic, athletic and community service accolades of Linfield senior softball player Kaili Saathoff.
Since arriving at Linfield three autumns ago, Saathoff has compiled an enviable résumé of all-around accomplishment.
The list starts with Saathoff receiving what is considered the highest possible scholarly honor for a NCAA Division III softball student-athlete last spring. That’s when she was named the 2024 Academic All-American of the Year by the College Sports Communicators organization. The Philomath, Oregon, native is just Linfield’s third two-time CSC Academic All-American from Linfield in any sport and only the second Linfield athlete ever to be accorded CSC’s prestigious Academic All-American of the Year award.
Equally impressive, Saathoff became the first repeat winner of Elite 90 Award for Division III softball, awarded to the top scholar from competing institutions at each of the NCAA’s 90 national championship events.
In her seventh semester at Linfield, Saathoff maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA while pursuing a challenging double major in mathematics and physics.
Classroom studies, she says, are especially exciting when course content blends together math and physics, opening her eyes to entirely new ways of understanding the world.
“Even if I don’t know an answer, let’s see how far I can get to find the answer. Rather than focusing on the correct answers, it’s more the process to getting there.”
Starting 52 of Linfield’s 54 softball games at first base last spring, she hit .479 with 23 doubles and 43 runs batted in. She scored 71 runs and added 18 stolen bases for good measure. During Linfield’s dominant 40game regular season in which the Wildcats became just the second college softball program to go unbeaten, Saathoff batted .504, the only conference player to hit over .500.
The daughter of Bob and Kris Saathoff encompasses more than just perfect grades and glossy softball statistics. She contributes to Linfield’s student culture as an advocate for gender equity, as a leader within Residence Life, and as a member of several student clubs, all while aiding fellow students as a tutor and teacher assistant within the math and physics departments.
There’s no doubt Saathoff is heading for greatness beyond Linfield. “Growing up, my parents told me ‘You’re a studentathlete, the student comes first.’ I focus on that, and athletics is kind of my reward . . . I’m here to be a student, I’m here to learn and then graduate and I want to go on to earn my PhD.”
A Heritage of Confident Service
Macy & Son is in the business of helping people and meeting the individual needs of McMinnville area families for five generations.
Five game-changing individuals, plus a national championship team, have been selected for induction into the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame
The 26th Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame class is set to be enshrined inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium on Saturday, October 26. Pacific Office Automation again is serving as title sponsor of the annual event, which follows that afternoon’s football game. This year’s class includes two former soccer players: all-time leading goal scorers Jeff Brooks of the Class of 1987 and Emily (Fellows) Terry, from the Class of 2014. Joining them this year are softball standouts Emily (Keagbine) Conner ’11 and Karleigh (Prestianni) Potter ’14, track and field sprint champion Melody Sherman ’00, and the 2013 national championship baseball team. Get tickets at golinfieldwildcats.com/halloffame2024.
THE LINFIELD SPORTS NETWORK
All LSN broadcasts, both live and on demand, can be accessed at golinfieldwildcats.com/watch or from within the Linfield Athletics app on mobile, tablet or smart TVs
The Linfield Sports Network continues to bring fans live action of all home Linfield volleyball matches in 2024. Fans can enjoy live video webcasts and play-by-play commentary on their computer, tablet, mobile device or Smart TV.
Live coverage begins 15 minutes prior to the start of each match. Broadcasts include a postgame wrap-up.
LSN live broadcasts are under the direction of Joe Stuart, the athletic department’s Broadcast Operations Coordinator.
In his fourth year in the position, Stuart oversees all technical production and management of LSN broadcasts as well as providing play-by-play commentary on football, basketball, baseball and softball webcasting in addition to assisting with other athletics communications needs.
Linfield junior Brian Kice begins his second season as the play-by-play voice of Wildcats volleyball. Kice, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, began his broadcasting experience with the LSN last season. Sophomore Eric Albios, a secondgeneration Wildcat, returns as program director for all volleyball broadcasts this fall.
brian kice joe stuart eric albios
WILDCAT ATHLETIC BAND
The new-look band no longer marches but director Joe Ready is excited for the group’s long-range potenital
Linfield sports fans may notice a new look to the band performing at games this fall. Previously known as the Linfield Marching Band, the revitalized Wildcat Athletic Band will continue supporting Linfield’s athletic teams by performing a variety of musical tunes and bringing a fun atmosphere to events.
“The Wildcat Band is focused on musical excellence and entertaining audiences,” Ready said. “Fans and community members should expect engaging, higher quality music performances during athletic and community events.”
Leading the Wildcat Athletic Band is Joe Ready, who began at Linfield in August. Ready earned his Bachelor of Music from the University of Oregon, and Master of Music from Bowling Green State University, both in tuba performance. Prior to moving back to Oregon in 2018, Ready was an associate member with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
“The unlimited potential of what the Wildcat Band can be is what attracted me to this position,” Ready said. “I appreciate the sense of community and culture at Linfield.”
The band – currently 18 members strong – made its debut at the Sept. 7 home football game against Denison. Linfield students of all majors and skill levels are welcome to join. As a bonus, band members are eligible for up to $2,000 in scholarships and can earn paracurricular credit for participating. On average, the band rehearses five hours per week, with performances on nights and weekends during football and basketball seasons.
NEW TO LINFIELD
Aiyana Henderson played collegiately at three schools before embarking on a club coaching career that has included both indoor and beach volleyball programs
Aiyana Henderson joined the Linfield coaching staff as an assistant volleyball coach in September.
She brings experience coaching both club indoor volleyball and club beach volleyball for the past four years in Washington, California, and Oregon.
Henderson played collegiate indoor and beach volleyball at Multnomah University, Corban University, and Los Angeles Harbor College.
At Los Angeles Harbor College, she earned first team all-South Coast Conference recognition and was among the top five producers in the SCC in eight different statistical categories for indoor volleyball.
At Corban, she was a part of the 2023 Warriors team that reached the NAIA Beach Volleyball Championships before finishing as the national runner-up.
She graduated from Multnomah University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing.
The Spokane native is a graduate of Ferris High School where she competed in varsity volleyball and track and field.
AIYANA HENDERSON
NEW TO LINFIELD
Alex Glaudé, a two-time national champion, joins the Linfield wrestling coaching staff and will focus on freestyle technique
Alex Glaudé is joining the Linfield University wrestling coaching staff for the 2024-25 season, head coach Frank Johnson announced this week.
A current member of Team USA, Glaudé will work with both the Wildcat men’s and women’s wrestling squads. With a primary focus on the women’s program, she will specialize in teaching freestyle technique (college men wrestle folkstyle, while women wrestle freestyle). She is expected to begin actively coaching October 1.
“We are excited to welcome Alex to the Wildcat family,” said Johnson, in announcing Glaudé’s appointment. “In her interactions with the team, it was immediately clear she would be a great fit. She’s going to be a remarkable addition to our staff and the team is eager to start working with her. We’re looking forward to having her in the room, as well
as supporting her in her quest to make World and Olympic teams.”
A native of West Sacramento, California, Glaudé is a two-time collegiate national champion at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois and is also a U.S. Open champion.
Internationally, she won gold at the 2021 Pan American Championship and earned a U23 World bronze medal in 2018. This past year, she finished third at the U.S. Olympic Trials at 68 kg.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Linfield wrestling staff,” said Glaudé, a four-time senior national team member. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with this team and continue building on the amazing dynamic they’ve already created.”
She and her husband, David, reside in Corvallis, where she continues to train at the Beaver Dam RTC and will compete through the next four-year Olympic cycle.
Alex Glaudé