The Linfield women’s tennis team took advantage of a short-handed George Fox University team, winning 9-0 in Newberg, Ore.
Before this matchup, women’s tennis balanced one win with one loss, while the men tallied another victory Feb. 27-28.
The ’Cats fell 7-2 to Whitworth University on Feb. 27, but defeated Whitman College 5-4 Feb. 28. The men prevailed 5-4 against Whitworth on Feb. 27.
“Last weekend was a huge test for us,” Amy Dames-Smith, women’s tennis head coach, said. “Against Whitworth, we definitely had opportunities but weren’t quite able to capitalize [on them].”
Whitman’s tendency to finish a season in the upper ranks of the Northwest Conference standings made Linfield’s win more substantial, Dames-Smith said.
“To bounce back and beat Whitworth was a big victory,” she said. “We played solid doubles, had a great attitude, showed a lot of fight and belief, which, in the end, paid off big time for us.”
Wildcat juniors Sarah Watanabe and Sarah Click were down 6-4 against the Bruins, but they rallied back to win 9-7 and shut out GFU.
At home, the men kept their 4-0 NWC record but not before rallying against the Pirates’ two-point advantage.
Juniors Mark Magdaong and Brent Kingzett fought hard but fell 9-7, while senior Kyle Anderson and junior Tal DeWitt were outplayed 8-5 during the doubles competition.
“We dug ourselves a hole in doubles when we got away from our fundamentals,” men’s tennis head coach Carl Swanson said on the Athletics Web site. “The bounce back in singles was exactly what was necessary to get the dual-match victory.”
Anderson, Magdaong, Kingzett and freshman Mitchell Davidson provided the recoil for Linfield. Anderson battled to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, and Magdaong followed suit, winning 6-7, 6-8, 6-0,
6-0. Davidson and Kingzett prevailed in straight sets, scoring 6-2, 6-4 and 6-3, 6-4, respectively.
The day finished in triumph, an outcome that Swanson said was pleasing, considering the 3-1 team deficit.
The Wildcats will take on Pacific Lutheran University on March 5.
Despite facing the top five conference teams already, Dames-Smith said the NWC is tough this year and that the team needs to be prepared to perform.
“PLU finished toward the bottom of the conference last year, but they have improved,” Dames-Smith said. “PLU will be a good match for us to play.”
The men head to Tacoma, Wash., to face PLU for a 3 p.m. game March 5, while the women host the Lutes on the same date.

Septembre Russell
Copy chief Septembre Russell can be reached at [email protected]