Linfield Defeats Bearcats, 6-3, at WU Tennis Courts

SALEM, ORE. -- Linfield College remained undefeated in Northwest Conference women's tennis action, as the Wildcats defeated Willamette University, 6-3, at the WU Tennis Courts on Friday, April 11. The weather was sunny and warm, with Willamette playing outside for the first time in nine home matches this spring.

Linfield improved to 14-0 in the NWC, while improving to 14-5 on the season. Willamette fell to 6-11 overall, including 6-8 in the NWC.

The Bearcats, who have clinched an NWC Tournament berth, are in sixth place in the NWC standings, one-half match behind Pacific Lutheran University (7-8). PLU closes the regular season at Linfield on Saturday. The Bearcats host the University of Puget Sound on Saturday at 10 a.m. (PDT), before playing at Pacific University on Sunday at 11 a.m. (PDT).

Linfield led the Bearcats 2-1 after the doubles matches. The Wildcats registered their wins at the #1 and #3 positions.

In the #1 doubles match, Kasey Kuenzli and Sallie Katter of Linfield downed Alaine Anderson (Sr., Santa Ana, CA/Foothill HS) and Jamie Slonaker (Fr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS), 8-1. At #3 doubles, Sarah Click and Sarah Watanabe won for Linfield, 8-0.

Tiffany Kam (Sr., Pearl City, HI/Punahou School) and Abby Funabiki (Jr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS) earned a victory for WU at #2 doubles. They defeated Kelli Sides and Molly Nelson, 8-4.

The #1 singles match was won by Kuenzli, who moved past Kam, 6-0, 6-1. Willamette earned triumphs at #4 and #6 singles, as Funabiki and Samantha Wong (So., Honolulu, HI/Iolani HS) each won in a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set.

Funabiki outlasted Sophie Larsen, 6-4, 5-7, 10-3, to win #4 singles. Wong prevailed at #6 singles with a huge rally. Click shut out Wong in the first set, 6-0. Wong responded with a 6-1 victory in the second set, then claimed a narrow 11-9 win in the super tie-breaker.

Friday, April 11
At Willamette University Tennis Courts, Salem, Ore.

Linfield College 6, Willamette University 3

Singles
#1 - Kasey Kuenzli (LC) defeated Tiffany Kam (WU), 6-0, 6-1
#2 - Kelli Sides (LC) defeated Alyssa Morrison (WU), 6-4, 6-1
#3 - Sallie Katter (LC) defeated Alaine Anderson (WU), 6-1, 6-1
#4 - Abby Funabiki (WU) defeated Sophie Larson (LC), 6-4, 5-7, 10-3*
#5 - Molly Nelson (LC) defeated Jamie Slonaker (WU), 6-1, 6-0
#6 - Samantha Wong (WU) defeated Sarah Click (LC), 0-6, 6-1, 11-9*

Doubles
#1 - Kuenzli and Katter (LC) defeated Anderson and Slonaker (WU), 8-1
#2 - Kam and Funabiki (WU) defeated Sides and Nelson (LC), 8-4
#3 - Click and Sarah Watanabe (LC) defeated Morrison and Wong, 8-0

* Tie-breaker played instead of a third set

Records: Linfield is 14-5 overall, 14-0 in the NWC; Willamette is 6-11 overall, 6-8 in the NWC.