Linfield makes quick work of PLU

March 13, 2009

McMINNVILLE, Ore. - With workmanlike precision, the Linfield Wildcats disected the Pacific Lutheran Lutes 9-0 Friday afternoon in a Northwest Conference match at the Linfield Tennis Center.

The Wildcats raised their season record to 8-0 in the NWC and 8-2 overall. PLU remained winless in 2009, falling to 0-9 in the league and 0-10 overall.

Linfield rolled through the doubles pairings by comfortable margins. Sallie Katter (Sr., Salem, Ore.) and Sophie Larson (Jr., Eugene, Ore.) teamed up to defeat the PLU combo of Ashley Coats and Ali Burnside 8-2 at No. 1. The Wildcats’ Sarah Click (Jr., Vancouver, Wash.) and Abby Olbrich (Soph., Vancouver, Wash.) pushed their NWC doubles record to 8-0 with a solid 8-1 victory at No. 2 over Ashley Brooks and Caitlyn Hoerr. Kiana Nip (Soph., Lahaina, Hawaii) and Sarah Watanabe (Jr., Kirkland, Wash.) blanked the Lutes tandem of Heidi Weston and Mary Stang 8-0.

In singles action, Obrich topped Brooks 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1, Larson raised her season singles record to 9-1 with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Coats at No. 2, and Nip rolled past Burnside 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3. In other matches, Click downed Weston 6-2, 6-0 at No. 4, Katie Patterson beat Wilson 6-2, 6-0 at No. 5, and Kirstie Franceschina (Soph., Newcastle, Wash.) cast aside Stang 6-2, 6-0 at No. 6.

“All of the girls played efficient, smart tennis and continue to get stronger with each match we play which is a goal we strive to consistently meet,” praised Wildcats coach Amy Dames Smith. “Today was also a good opportunity for some freshmen to play in the lineup at 5 and 6 singles and (Patterson and Franceschina) didn't miss a beat.

NEXT: Linfield hosts Puget Sound at 11 a.m. Saturday, then meets Whitworth in a key NWC match Sunday at 8:30 a.m. at the Courthouse Athletic Club in Salem.

Sophie Larson
Improves to 9-1 in singles