Linfield Women's Tennis Team Downs Bearcats, 8-1

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Linfield College swept the singles matches on its way to defeating Willamette University, 8-1, on Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Courthouse Tennis Club. Linfield improved to 4-2 overall, 4-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 1-4 overall, 1-3 in the NWC.

Willamette win at #3 doubles, with Alyssa Morrison (Jr., Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS) and Jamie Slonaker (So., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) defeating Kiana Nip and Sarah Watanabe, 8-3. Linfield achieved wins at #1 and #2 doubles for an early 2-1 lead.

Sallie Katter of Linfield won #1 singles over Morrison by claiming a narrow victory in the first set, 7-5, then taking the second set, 6-1. Kiana Nip triumphed in a close second set to defeat Abby Funabiki of Willamette, 6-2, 6-4, at #4 singles.

Willamette played without #1 singles and #1 doubles player Shannon Palmer (Fr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS). Palmer missed the match due to injury.

The Bearcats will play at the Courthouse Tennis Club again on Friday, Feb. 27, when Willamette hosted Pacific University. Match time is set for 7 p.m. (PST).

Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009
At Courthouse Tennis Club, Salem, Ore.

Singles
#1 - Sallie Katter (LC) defeated Alyssa Morrison (WU), 7-5, 6-1
#2 - Abby Olbrich (LC) defeated Fabi Dieguez (WU), 6-3, 6-1
#3 - Sophie Larson (LC) defeated Kristen Dedijer-Small (WU), 6-3, 6-1
#4 - Kiana Nip (LC) defeated Abby Funabiki (WU), 6-2, 6-4
#5 - Sarah Click (LC) defeated Samantha Wong (WU), 6-1, 6-2
#6 - Sarah Watanabe (LC) defeated Jamie Slonaker (WU), 6-1, 6-2

Doubles
#1 - Katter and Larson (LC) defeated Dieguez and Funabiki (WU), 8-2
#2 - Olbrich and Click (LC) defeated Dedijer-Small and Wong (WU), 8-4
#3 - Morrison and Slonaker (WU) defeated Nip and Watanabe (LC), 8-3

Records:
Linfield College is 4-2 overall, 4-0 in the NWC. Willamette University is 1-4 overall, 1-3 in the NWC.