Bearcats Fall to Linfield, 7-2

By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer

SALEM, ORE. -- Denise Poltavski (So., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS) won her fourth straight match at #1 singles, but Linfield College claimed a 7-2 victory over Willamette University in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match at the Courthouse Tennis Center on Saturday, March 2.

Linfield evened its overall record at 4-4, while improving to 4-2 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette fell to 0-7 overall, 0-6 in the NWC.

Despite Poltavski and Sabrina Gutierrez (Jr., Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) pulling out an 8-4 victory at #1 doubles, the Wildcats took a 2-1 lead after the doubles portion of the match, securing wins at the #2 and #3 positions.

At the #2 spot, Linfield's Kwynn Ecton and Caroline Brigham had to work for an 8-4 win over Willamette's Rachel Heringer (Fr., Salem, OR/South Salem HS)and Stephanie Matsuura(Fr., Hilo, HI/Waiakea HS).

The Wildcats extended their advantage during the singles matches, with Gutierrez, Heringer, Matsuura, Emily Guimont(Fr., El Dorado Hills, CA/Folsom HS), and Mandy Carlson(Fr., Boise, ID/Bishop Kelly HS) all falling in straight sets.

Willamette's brightest spot came at #1 singles, where Poltavski secured a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Linfield senior Lexi Thomas. Over the past two weeks, Poltavski has defeated the #1 singles players for Lewis & Clark College, Pacific Lutheran University, George Fox University, and now Linfield.

The Bearcats' next match is scheduled for Friday, March 8, at the Willamette Tennis Courts, where the Bearcats will take on Pacific University at 3 p.m. If played indoors, the match will take place at the Courthouse Tennis Center (1379 Madison St. NE).