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

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Linfield College, ranked #36 in NCAA Division III and #9 in the West Region, defeated Willamette University, 8-1, in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match on Wednesday, April 14. The Wildcats upped their record to 14-4 overall, 9-2 in the NWC, while Willamette dropped to 2-16, 1-10 in the NWC.

For Willamette, Mikaila Smith (Fr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) picked up a win at #2 singles, as she edged past Basia Kopecka in the first set before winning, 7-6 (8-6), 6-2. Smith improved to 11-6 on the season, including 6-4 in the NWC.

Linfield won all three doubles matches, but gained only a narrow victory at the #1 position. Ella Riddle and Mackenzie Fraser outlasted Denise Poltavski (Sr., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS) and Smith by an 8-6 margin in the top match.

Kelly Watanabe and Kaila Nip downed Katie Adams (Fr., McLean, VA/American International School) and Emily Guimont (Jr., El Dorado Hills, CA/Folsom HS) at #2 doubles, 8-2. Sierra Lemon and Marisa Doveri added win for the Wildcats at #3 doubles.

In the #1 singles match, Riddle was victorious over Poltavski, 6-1, 6-3. The Wildcats won at each of the bottom four singles positions in straight sets. Courtney Hammagren was the winner at #3, with Marisa Kume winning at #4. Gretchen Jernstedt took the #5 match and Courtney Mostul triumphed at #6.

Willamette will close out the season with a home match against George Fox University on Sunday, April 19. Match time at the WU Tennis Courts is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).