Linfield Downs Bearcats 7-2 to Remain Undefeated in NWC

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

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Linfield College kept its women's tennis record undefeated in 2011 with a 7-2 victory over visiting Willamette University on Saturday, March 5 at the Linfield Tennis Center. The Wildcats upped their NWC record to 6-0 and also improved to 6-1 overall. Willamette, now 4-3 in the NWC, moved to 4-4 on the season.

Despite the team's loss, Willamette's top player, Natalia Agarycheva (Sr., Vancouver, WA/Prairie HS/U. of Northern Colorado) continued to play well in singles and doubles.

Agarycheva won the #1 singles match, 6-4, 6-1, over Abby Olbrich. At #1 doubles, she earned a victory with Shannon Palmer (Jr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS), as they prevailed in a close match with Olbrich and Sarah Click, 8-6.

For the season, Agarycheva is 6-1 in singles (6-0 NWC). Agarycheva and Palmer are 7-1 in the doubles (7-0 NWC).

Despite the win at #1 doubles, the Bearcats trailed 2-1 before the start of singles play.

Linfield's #2 doubles team of Sophie Larson and Caroline Brigham outlasted Sabrina Gutierrez (Fr., Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) and Jamie Slonaker (Sr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) of Willamette, 8-4. At #3 doubles, Sarah Watanabe and Lexi Thomas of Linfield downed Emily Bee (Jr., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) and Katie Huber (So., St. Peter, MN/St. Peter HS), 8-3.

The Wildcats pulled away with five wins in single. One of the wins was at the #2 position, where Thomas rallied to edge past Palmer, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, in the tightest match of the day.

At #3 singles, Larson downed Huber, 6-2, 6-2. Click won #4 singles after narrowly defeating Gutierrez, 7-5, in the first set, and then taking the second set, 6-2. The Wildcats won in straight sets at #5 and #6 singles.

Willamette will play its next match on Friday, March 11 at Pacific University. Match time is set for 4 p.m. (PST).