SPOKANE, Wash. – Top Linfield singles performer
Kaitlynn Canubida narrowly dropped a top-of-the-ladder three set match, and the Wildcats fell overall 7-0 Sunday at the hands of the Whitworth Pirates inside Scotford Tennis Center.
The Wildcats fell to 0-6 on the year and 0-4 against Northwest Conference opponents while Whitworth improved to 2-2 overall and 2-1 in the NWC.
"This one was tough," said head coach
Phil Whitehead. "Whitworth is playing very well right now and we are struggling with our confidence. It's hard for the team to see it when you don't get wins, but we are showing improvement."
DOUBLES
Whitworth took an early lead by clinching the day's doubles point quickly with a 6-0 win at No. 3 by Olivia Corbett and Audrey Judson over
Lyla Khlee and
Steffenie Stark, followed by Paige Oliver and Jordan Turner-Esposito beating
Sundi King and
Gianna Molony 6-1.
The 'Cats found themselves on the wrong side of a doubles sweep when Canubdia and
Samantha Baltz fell to top Whitworth duo Faith Kert and Clara Todd 6-3.
SINGLES
The Pirates quickly extended their lead to 2-0 thanks to Tuner-Esposito's commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory at No. 3 singles against
Emily Redwood, before Kert put them on the verge of clinching with a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 2 over Baltz.
"Sam is getting close to being back to her old self after her layoff and she and Kaitlynn at No. 1 doubles played really well," said Whitehead.
Whitworth managed to clinch at 4-0 with a 'double-bagel win' at No. 4 for Judson against King.
A rested Josie Kellog had the same result at No. 5 against Molony, before Canubida was finally outlasted in the third set against Oliver, Oliver taking the day's top flight 6-4, 4-6, 3-6.
"Kaitlynn lost another tough three set match, but she is so close to breaking through and becoming on the top players in this conference," said Whitehead.
The Pirates completed the sweep with a win for Hannah Wells 6-0, 6-1 over
Lilianna Cano to set the final score at 7-0.
NEXT
The Wildcats return to the Willamette Valley this week to host defending league champion Whitman (3-2, 3-0) for the second time in seven days on Saturday at 11 a.m. Linfield then travels to Forest Grove, Ore. the following day to play the Pacific Boxers (2-3, 2-2).
