MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – Sophomore duo
Sam Baltz and
Emily Redwood improved to 3-0 on the season at No. 2 doubles and fellow sophomore
Kaitlynn Canubida won her third straight singles match but it wasn't enough for Linfield women's tennis at home on Saturday, falling to Whitworth 6-1.
"We played tough, we hit well, we're really starting to play well in certain aspects of the game but still need to grow in others," said head coach
Phil Whitehead. "Some good moments today but a tough match."
Baltz and Redwood's 3-0 record as a team leads the Wildcats while Canubida's 4-2 singles record is also a team best. Linfield competed hard across the lineup but found themselves on the wrong end of seven of the day's nine contests, with all six singles flights completed in straight sets.
Linfield fell to 1-5 on the season and 1-3 in the Northwest Conference while the Pirates improved to 2-2 in the NWC and 2-3 overall.
DOUBLES
It was a comfortable win for Baltz and Redwood at No. 2, beating Whitworth's Clara Todd and Jordan Turner-Esposito 6-1. The Linfield tandem has taken 18 of 25 sets in their last three matches together, and 12 of their last 13 in the previous two.
The Wildcats struggled at the other two spots in the doubles lineup with a pair of 6-0 wins for the Pirates, Faith Kert and Gracie Smyley beating Canubida and Tuttle at No. 1 doubles and Audrey Judson and Olivia Corbett beating
Lilianna Cano and
Sundi King at No. 3.
"We got off to a slow start not winning the doubles point for the first time in a couple of match and that put us behind the eight-ball," said Whitehead. "I thought our No. 1 doubles team played tough but the team from Whitworth is really good."
SINGLES
Canubida continued her recent run of strong play at No. 2 singles, pulling away from Kert in the second set to win 6-4, 6-1. Canubida's taken all three victories during her streak in straight sets.
"Kaitlynn played another outstanding match to get another big win," said Whitehead.
Her win would go on the scorecard as Linfield's only point of the day, although the Wildcats gave competitive efforts throughout the afternoon.
Tuttle was two points away from forcing a third set against Smyley at No. 1 singles, giving an impressive effort in the second frame after struggling in the first, but Smyley eventually won 6-1, 7-6 (7-5).
In the No. 3 contest a rested Paige Oliver was able to dispatch Baltz 6-3, 6-3 while Judson beat Redwood 6-4, 6-3 at No. 4.
"Emma is starting to play herself back into match shape," said Whitehead. "But that was a very tough match for her today."
Linfield's lone senior missed the first three matches of the season due to illness before returning last weekend. She has not been the only Wildcat attempting to play below 100 percent.
"You've also got Samantha at No. 3 and Emily at four working through illnesses as well and didn't get much practice time this week, but they still gave it all they had," said Whitehead.
"The 6-1 score looks one-sided but it really wasn't. We were hoping we could get it done, but we'll be ready tomorrow to take on Whitman."
The day's action concluded with a 6-4, 6-0 win for Corbett over Cano at No. 5 and a 6-1, 6-0 win for Todd over Reese.
NEXT
Linfield faces a tough task tomorrow hosting defending conference champion Whitman for the second meeting of the season between the two teams. The Blues are tied for first in the NWC at 4-1 and are 5-2 overall, including a win over Linfield in Walla Walla, Wash. on February 9.
Sunday's match will start at 11 a.m. in Rutschman Fieldhouse.
