Linfield Tops Whitworth in First Place Showdown

McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield rolled to a 7-2 win over visiting Whitworth in a showdown for first place in the Northwest Conference women's tennis standings on Saturday afternoon.

The Wildcats improved to 9-0 overall and 9-0 in the NWC.  The Pirates fell to 7-2, 6-1 and saw a seven-match winning streak come to an end.

Linfield took a 3-0 lead by sweeping the doubles matches.  Megan Wingfield and Claire Hemming had Whitworth's best chance of winning a doubles match, but the Pirate pair fell to Kelly Watanabe and Lexi Thomas 8-5 at #3 doubles.  The Wildcat pair of Abby Olbrich and Caroline Brigham rolled to an 8-1 win over Alli Marshall and Erica Bosman at #1 doubles.  Kaila and Kiana Nip defeated Saryn Mooney and Jessi Steele 8-3 at #2 doubles.

Linfield swept the top three singles matches as well.  Olbrich defeated Marshall 6-3, 6-4 at #1, while Brigham topped Bosman 6-4, 6-2 at #2.  Kaila Nip held off Mooney 6-0, 6-4 at #3.

Whitworth got its two points when Steele beat Thomas 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-5) at #4 and Hemming edged Watanabe 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 1-0 (10-5) at #6 singles. 

Kiana Nip scored Linfield's final point when she blanked Wingfield 6-0, 6-0 at #5.

Whitworth will quickly head to Orlando, Florida for spring break.  The Pirates will play three non-conference matches against NCAA Division III opponents.