SALEM, ORE. -- Linfield College remained undefeated in Northwest Conference action, as the visiting Wildcats defeated Willamette University, 7-2, at the WU Tennis Courts on Friday, April 6. Linfield earned victories at #1 and #2 doubles, then won five of six sinlges matches. Willamette's only singles triumph was earned by Alaine Anderson (Jr., Santa Ana, CA/Foothills HS) at the #3 position, as she defeated Kelli Sides in a three-set thriller, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. It was Anderson's eighth consecutive victory in sinlges.
Willamette also won #3 doubles, with Sarah Butler (Sr., Boise, ID/Boise HS) and Becca Younger (So., Albuquerque, NM/Sandia Prep) downing Sides and Molly Nelson, 8-2. Linfield won #1 singles, as Becca Johnson defeated Butler, 6-1, 6-0. The Wildcats also earned a victory at #1 doubles, where Johnosn and Megan Rodgers outlasted Anderson and Tiffany Kam (Jr., Pearl City, HI/Punahou HS), 8-5.
Linfield improved to 13-5 overall and to 13-0 in the NWC. Willamette dropped to 5-12 overall, 4-9 in the NWC. The Bearcats will host Lewis & Clark College in an NWC match on Saturday, April 7, starting at 10 a.m. at the WU Tennis Courts.
Heading into Friday's matches (WU vs. Linfield; L&C vs. Pacific), the Bearcats and the Pioneers were tied for the sixth and final playoff spot in the NWC. Saturday's winner likely will have the inside track at qualifying for the NWC Tournament, set for April 20-21 in Yakima, Wash. Lewis & Clark edged Willamette, 5-4, in Portland, Ore., on March 3, but the Bearcats did not have Butler in the lineup.
Friday, April 7
At Willamette University Tennis Courts, Salem, Ore.
Linfield College 7, Willamette University 2
Singles
#1 - Becca Johnson (LC) defeated Susan Butler (WU), 6-1, 6-0
#2 - Megan Rodgers (LC) defeated Tiffany Kam (WU), 6-2, 6-2
#3 - Alaine Anderson (WU) defeated Kelli Sides (LC), 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
#4 - Molly Nelson (LC) defeated Alyssa Morrison (WU), 6-2, 6-2
#5 - Jeanna Parks (LC) defeated Abby Funabiki (WU), 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
#6 - Emma Becker (LC) defeated Becca Younger (WU), 6-3, 6-0
Doubles
#1 - Johnson and Rodgers (LC) defeated Kam and Anderson (WU), 8-5
#2 - Parks and Sallie Katter (LC) defeated Morrison and Funabiki (WU), 8-4
#3 - Butler and Younger (WU) defeated Sides and Nelson (LC), 8-2
Records: Willamette is 5-12 overall, 4-9 in the NWC; Linfield is 13-5 overall, 13-0 in the NWC.
