Linfield Downs Willamette, 7-2, in Women's Tennis

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Linfield College won all three doubles matches, helping the Wildcats defeat Willamette University, 7-2, in Northwest Conference women's tennis action on Friday, April 8. The Wildcats improved to 13-4, including 11-1 in the NWC. Willamette moved to 9-6 overall, 6-5 in the conference.

Willamette two victories on the afternoon were earned at #1 singles and #3 singles.

In the #1 singles match, Natalia Agarycheva (Sr., Vancouver, WA/Prairie HS/U. of Northern Colorado), ranked #4 in the West Region of NCAA Division III, defeated Abby Olbrich of Linfield, ranked #8, 3-6, 6-2, 10-8. After Agarycheva rallied to tie Olbrich at a set apiece, the match was decided by a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set.

At #3 singles, WU's Fabi Dieguez (Jr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS/Oregon State Univ.) moved past Lexi Thomas. Dieguez won 6-3, 6-3.

Leading Linfield's sweep of doubles were Olbrich and Sarah Click at the #1 position. They defeated Agarycheva and Shannon Palmer (Jr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS), 8-2. Agarycheva and Palmer entered the match ranked #4 in the West Region, while Olbrich and Click were ranked #10.

Sophie Larson and Caroline Brigham of Linfield downed Dieguez and Jamie Slonaker (Sr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) of Willamette, 8-2, at #2 doubles. In #3 doubles, Kiana Nip and Thomas won a tight match for the Wildcats, edging out Emily Bee (Jr., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) and Emily Funabiki (Fr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS), 9-7.

Larson prevailed over Palmer in a hard-fought battle at #2 singles. Palmer won the first set, 6-4, but Larson rebounded with a 6-3 victory in the second set. Larson took the super tie-breaker to decide the match, 10-8. The Wildcats also achieved wins at #4, #5 and #6 singles.

Willamette will close out the regular season at George Fox on Saturday, April 9. Match time in Newberg, Ore., is set for 11 a.m. (PDT).