Bearcats Play at WU Tennis Courts, but Linfield, Ranked #25, Wins 9-0

Allie DiPasquale (So., Seattle, WA/Seattle Academy)
Allie DiPasquale (So., Seattle, WA/Seattle Academy)

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's tennis team played outdoors at the WU Tennis Courts for the first time this season, but Northwest Conference rival Linfield College didn't let the Bearcats take advantage of the good weather, as the Wildcats won 9-0 on Sunday, March 19.

Linfield, ranked #25 in the nation in NCAA Division III by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), improved to 8-1 on the season. The Wildcats, who are ranked #9 in the West Region, also improved to 6-1 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 0-11 overall, 0-9 in the NWC.

The Wildcats lost just four games while winning all three doubles matches. Winning at #1 doubles was the team of Basia Kopecka and McKenna Stephenson over Mikaila Smith (Jr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) and Alexis Gjurasic (So., Olympia, WA/Capital HS) of WU, 8-1. . At #2 doubles, Kelsey Bartlett and Jesse Vezo grabbed the win. At #3 doubles, Sarah Sweet and Sierra Lemon earned the victory.

Elsa Harris took #1 singles for Linfield against Smith, 6-1, 6-0. The Wildcats also won the remaining singles matches in straight sets. The closest battle was at #6 singles, where Courtney Mostul of Linfield downed Allie DiPasquale (So., Seattle, WA/Seattle Academy) of Willamette, 6-3, 6-2.

The Bearcats will host Community Colleges of Spokane in an exhibition match on Saturday, March 25. Match time at the WU Tennis Courts is scheduled for 11 a.m. (PDT).