SPOKANE, Wash. – Continuing to grit its way through a season hampered by health and depth issues the shorthanded Linfield women's tennis team took a 7-0 loss Saturday at Whitworth.
The Wildcats had nearly zero margin for error with just four active players, forced to forfeit two singles points and one doubles point.
Linfield received admirable efforts from
Emma Tuttle and
Kaitlynn Canubida at the top of the lineup but neither could muster a win. The Wildcats fell to 1-11 in Northwest Conference dual matches this season. Whitworth improved to 9-7 overall and 6-5 in the NWC.
DOUBLES
Whitworth managed to start their sweep in doubles with a point in the Pirates' pocket at 1-0. They quickly clinched the team match point with a 6-0 win at No. 2 doubles for Clara Todd and Jordan Turner-Esposito against
Sundi King and
Elise Reese.
At No. 1 doubles top Pirate duo Gracie Smyley and Faith Kert completed the doubles sweep with a 6-3 win against Tuttle and Canubida to set the Whitworth lead at 1-0 going into singles.
SINGLES
With the doubles point clinched and Linfield forfeiting two singles points the Pirates only needed one win to clinch victory on the day, which they quickly earned with a 6-0, 6-1 finish for Turner-Esposito against King at No. 3. Corbett swiftly followed with a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 4 over Reese.
At No. 1, Smyley beat Tuttle 6-4, 6-2 while Kert completed the Whitworth sweep with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Canubida to set the final score at 7-0.
NEXT
Linfield will play its final two matches of the season next weekend.
The Wildcats will host the Pacific Boxers on Saturday, April 12 at 9 a.m. for their final home match of the season. The match will serve as Senior Day with the program honoring
Emma Tuttle and her contributions to the program over the last four years following the match.
Linfield then wraps up the season the following day in Salem at Willamette.
