By Charlie McGuire, Athletic Communications Assistant

SALEM, Ore – The Willamette University women's tennis team hosted Linfield University in the Northwest Conference opener on Saturday, March 2. The Bearcats played some strong matches but fell to the visiting Wildcats, 9-0.

In the top doubles flight, the junior duo of Anika Groener (Sr., Bend, OR/Summitt HS) and Richelle Suzuki (Jr., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) battled in an 8-6 setback to Sarah Forester and Emma Tuttle. Ruby Thompson (Gr., Bay City, OR/Tillamook HS) and Alicia Sola (Fy., Aumsville, OR/Cascade HS) put up a challenge in the third singles flight, falling 8-6 as well.

Alexa de Crinis (So., Makawoa, HI/Seabury Hall School) had a strong second set at number one singles, but dropped a 6-0, 6-3 decision to Forester. Groener went 6-1, 6-4 in the third flight while Eva Lief (Fy., Anchorage, AK/West Anchorage HS) and Thompson each took three games off their opponents in the opening sets of the fourth and fifth flights.

Sola turned in a great performance, but couldn't get past Lisa Ponti in a (5-4, 7-6 (7-1)) match in the sixth flight.

Linfield improved to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the NWC. Willamette slips to 2-4 on the season and 0-1 in the conference. The Bearcats are in action again on Sunday, traveling to Lewis & Clark. The opening matches are set to start at 11 a.m. PST.