Keith Mader
Sports Editor

The women’s tennis team won its two matches during Spring Break, 8-1 and 9-0, against Pacific University and George Fox University, respectively. The two conference victories followed two non-conference victories against California Lutheran University and UC-Santa Cruz.
“The team pulled off our victories very professionally; we didn’t mess around and got the job done both days,” freshman Kirstie Francescina said. “We have great talent in every spot 1-6 and that has helped us this year a lot.”
The ’Cats lifted their season record to 14-3 and 12-0 in the NWC with the victory against Pacific on March 28.
Junior Sallie Katter led the team both days as she won both of her singles matches as well as her doubles matches with partner freshman Abby Olbrich.
“Sallie Katter is our only upperclassmen,” Francescina said. “I’d say she works hardest in practice and we can always depend on her to come back if she is down in matches. She’s really fun to watch.”
Although the team is successful so far this year, Francescina looks at what the team has overcome.
“Our biggest challenge this year has been overcoming that we’re young,” she said. “Having to start with all new doubles partners that we’d never played with was tough at first. I think we’ve gotten past it though and have really come together. Sallie Katter is our only upperclassmen.” With only three matches remaining, the team nears the end of its season.
With Linfield’s successful season, they have achieved a No.9 regional ranking.
The Wildcats play next in Walla Walla, Wash., against the Whitman Missionaries at 11 a.m. April 3. They follow it up with a competition against conference leader Whitworth Saturday at Whitworth University at 10 a.m. April 4. The Wildcats hope to avenge their only NWC loss of the year in Saturday’s match against Whitworth.