By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Strong play throughout the lineup allowed Linfield College to improve to 12-1 overall and 7-0 in the Northwest Conference with a 9-0 victory over Willamette University on Saturday, April 14 at the Linfield Tennis Center. The Wildcats entered the match ranked #25 in NCAA Division III and #4 in the West Region by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). Willamette fell to 7-9 overall and to 1-6 in the NWC.
Willamette will close out the season with a home match on Sunday, April 15 against Pacific University at the Salem Tennis and Swim Club. Match time is set for 12 p.m. It will be Senior Day for the Bearcats, who will honor seniors Mikaila Smith (Sr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) and Noemi Cruz-Cruz (Sr., Galt, CA/Liberty Ranch HS).
"Linfield is a tough team and played extremely well today," Willamette Head Coach Bryce Parmelly said. "I thought we competed well and again showed real signs of improvement, especially in doubles. We are really looking froward to our final match against Pacific."
Linfield's top doubles team of Basia Kopecka and Elsa Harris defeated Smith and Robin Pashek, 8-3. In #2 doubles, Michelle Uyeda and Marisa Doveri won for the Wildcats over Sarah Dean (Fr., Boise, IDTimberline HS) and Sylvia Marr (Fr., Grants Pass, ORHidden Valley HS) of Willamette, 8-3. At #3 doubles, Kelsey Bartlett and Sierra Lemon of Linfield downed Siena Ginsburg (Fr., Bend, OR/Summit HS) and Alexis Gjurasic (Jr., Olympia, WA/Capital HS), 8-2.
Marr provided a strong battle against Haley Fujimori in the #5 singles match Fujimori won in straight sets, but had to hold off Marr in each set for a 6-3, 6-3 victory. Doveri defeated Dean at #3 singles, 6-2, 6-3. Also winning for the Wildcats in singles play were Uyeda at #1, Riley Clayeux at #2, Kopecka at #3 and Alysse Nakasato at #6.