Winning four-straight Northwest Conference women's tennis championships is a daunting task that has been achieved only once previously in the history of the conference. If the Linfield Wildcats can achieve that feat in 2020, they'll join past Linfield teams from 2002-08, which won seven titles in a row.
 
A WINNING STANDARD
Seventh-year coach Lisa Macy-Baker has made it a point with the team to focus on playing one match at a time, but she's aware of the chance at making history that this year's team hopes to create.
 
"It is important to address the bigger picture, just so it's not something in the dark. We talk about taking one day at a time, one match at a time and one point at a time," said Macy-Baker. "If the team can be that disciplined, then it sets the path towards a larger goal. We've noticed everything comes down to the details and the players are able to focus and be more disciplined."
 
The Wildcats were recently picked to finish second behind the Whitman Blues in the in the NWC in the annual preseason coaches' poll. That announcement definitely takes pressure off the Wildcats and adds extra motivation.
 
"Having the underdog mentality is nice once in a while. The players have no pressure and have added motivation to prove everyone wrong," said Macy-Baker.
 
RAISING THE LEVEL OF COMPETITION
In the non-conference part of the 2020 schedule, the Wildcats challenge two NCAA Division I opponents to start the season, facing Boise State and Montana State and also host Trinity (Texas), which is ranked No. 18 nationally. The 'Cats also face Gustavas Adolphus, which is ranked 37th. Linfield is ranked No. 33 nationally while conference rival Whitman is rated No. 9 in the West region.
 
"The players are excited about these (early season) opportunities. It's a no-pressure situation. We can go in there and try out different doubles combinations and get experience against high quality opponents," said Macy-Baker.
 
Playing Boise State and Montana State on the campus of Boise State, Linfield will be playing those matches with Division I rules, which include playing with the "doubles count as one" rule, so the matches are best of seven points, rather than nine points, the norm at the Division III level.
 
"I want to see us go out there and compete hard," said the coach. "The level of play at the Division I level is more aggressive at the doubles level."
 
TALENTED GROUP
The Wildcats have plenty of talented players who are capable of qualifying for national tournaments and achieving All-America status. Reigning NWC Player of the Year and 2019 All-American Michelle Uyeda reached the Round of 32 at last season's NCAA tournament and her goal for this season is to advance further.
 
"Michelle has come into the spring ready, focused and dialed in. Her strength and speed have improved and like any player who has reached the national level, she wants to get there again and advance further," said Macy-Baker.
 
Linfield returns Riley Clayeux, Maggie Fiocchi, Tessa Kern, Michelle Ly, Sarah Sweet and Haley Fujimori, each of whom is capable of achieving All-Northwest Conference and All-America status either as a singles players or as part of doubles teams.
 
"We are trying out some different combinations in doubles early on to see what is best for the team. We're a team that's flexible and can try new things going into the spring," said Macy-Baker. "We do not have anything set in the lineup yet, which gives us a chance to try some things and see if there's any magic."
 
The Wildcats had a strong showing at the ITA Fall Classic this past September, with Uyeda being the top-seed in singles and advancing to the semifinal round, while Kern reached the championship singles match and advanced to the semifinals in doubles with Clayeux.
 
One of the players who was not with the Wildcats during the fall was Haley Fujimori, who was rehabbing from an injury, but the Mililani, Hawaii, native currently holds a 20-3 record in singles during her Wildcats' career.
 
"Haley is a special player. Battling back from an injury, you can look at the positive or the negative, but you appreciate your playing time more. She's in that zone right now and getting comfortable," said Macy-Baker.
 
Two newcomers, freshmen Lexie Matsunaga and Allena Wong, joined the Wildcats this season. Both players enjoyed success coming up through the junior circuit. Both also achieved 4.0 GPAs during the first semester in college.
 
"They are both seasoned players coming in and are fitting in really well, working hard and are flexible. They are solid on and off the court," said Macy-Baker.
 
Balancing the talent of nine players, making sure all of them get playing time can be a challenge for any coach, but Macy-Baker is up for it.
 
"People need rest and everybody is going to get an opportunity to get reps and some competition. Matches are won in practice, development happens in practice so if you prepare well, you play well."
 
Linfield begins the season in Boise, Idaho, against Boise State, Montana State and the College of Idaho February 15-16. The Wildcats' first match at home is on February 22 against Trinity.