By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Linfield College won all three doubles matches, including two competitive battles, giving the Wildcats momentum on their way to defeating Willamette University, 8-1, in Northwest Conference women's tennis action on Friday, April 12.

After earning the victory at the Linfield Tennis Center, the Wildcats are now 8-9 overall, 7-5 in the NWC. The Bearcats dropped to 1-14 overall, 1-10 in the NWC.

The #2 doubles teams played the closest match of the day, with Linfield's Gretchen Jernstedt and Lexi Thomas, claiming a narrow victory over Rachel Heringer and Stephanie Matsuura in a tie-breaker, 9-8 (7-2).

Caroline Brigham and Kwynn Ecton of Linfield earned a hard-fought win at #1 doubles against Sabrina Gutierrez (Jr., Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) and Denise Poltavski (So., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS), 8-4. Kaila Nop and Kelly Watanabe claimed #3 doubles for Linfield.

At #1 singles, Brigham of Linfield downed Poltavski, 6-3, 6-2. Willamette received a win from Gutierrez in the #2 singles match, as she downed Thomas, 6-3, 6-4. Linfield won the #3 through #6 singles matches.

Willamette will complete the season on Saturday, April 13, when the Bearcats are slated to host George Fox University at the Courthouse Tennis Center (1379 Madison St. NE). Match time is set for 11 a.m. (PDT).