PARKLAND, Wash. – Linfield started its quest for a Northwest Conference championship on a high note, defeating Pacific Lutheran Friday afternoon at the Sprinkler Rec Center.

The Wildcats (1-0 NWC) beat the Lutes (0-1 NWC) by the score of 7-2.

Sophie Larson and Caroline Brigham (Jr., Eagle, Idaho) teamed as Linfield’s No. 1 doubles team to defeat the Lutes’ Leah Newell and Tina Aarsvold 8-3. The tandem of Sarah Watanabe and Lexi Thomas (Sr., Redding, Calif.) also earned a victory over Deanna Ellmer and Hailey Rile 8-3.

Pacific Lutheran got its lone doubles win from Saiyare Refaei and Caitlyn Hoerr, who defeated Kiana Nip and Katherine Allison (Jr., Bellevue, Wash.) by the score of 8-4.

The ‘Cats won all but one singles match, several by convincing margins. No. 2 Thomas defeated Aarsvold 6-2, 7-6 (7-1). Sarah Click dominated Refaei 6-0, 6-2. Brigham earned a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Hoerr at the No. 4 slot, and No. 5 Wantanabe blanked Ellmer 6-0, 6-0. Nip picked up the fifth singles win, crushing Rile 6-0, 6-1.

The Lutes took the No. 1 singles win as Newell defeated Larson 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

NEXT: The ‘Cats entertain their first home opponent Saturday afternoon when they take on Lewis & Clark at 1 p.m.