McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Winning five of six singles flights, Whitworth rallied for a big Northwest Conference victory in men’s tennis, defeating Linfield 5-4 Friday afternoon at the Linfield Tennis Center.

The Pirates improve to 3-2 in conference action and 4-5 overall as the Wildcats slip to 2-5 both in the league and overall.

Early on, it looked as though Linfield was about to get back on a winning streak after suffering four consecutive losses. The ‘Cats won all three doubles flights to take a 3-0 lead.

No. 1 Mark Magdaong and Brent Kingzett defeated Joe Wales and Colin Zalewski 9-7. Cody Levien and Zachery Lyons (Sr., Vancouver, Wash.) teamed to top Colin Barrett and Daniel Redfern 8-5. In the final doubles flight, Tal DeWitt and Tim Wagar got the best of brothers Henry Williams and Cameron Williams 8-6.

But in singles play, it was all Whitworth. The Pirates took five of six singles to rally for the win.

Magdaong was the sole winner for the ‘Cats, narrowly defeating Redfern in the top flight 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4.

The Pirates’ No. 2 player Zalewski beat Levien 6-4, 7-6 (6-2). Wales earned a 6-1, 7-6 (6-3) decision over DeWitt. Cameron Williams bested Kingzett 7-5, 6-4 and Barrett defeated Lyons 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. In the final match, Henry Williams prevailed over Wagar 7-6 (6-2), 6-1.

Despite the outcome, head coach Carl Swanson remains positive.

“Our best tennis is still in front of us,” Swanson said. “Our focus is on doing what we do better, and continuing to do it the right way.”

NEXT: The ‘Cats host Hardin-Simmons in a nonconference match Tuesday at the Linfield Tennis Center. Match time is slated for 10 a.m.