MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield's women's tennis program kicked off its 2026 season slate at home Saturday, falling to NAIA opponent College of Idaho 6-1 inside Rutschman Field House.
Junior
Samantha Baltz picked up the lone win for the Wildcats at in her first match since taking a leave of absence midway through her sophomore season.
"For a first match of the season the ladies played tough," said head coach
Phil Whitehead. "Our doubles play showed lots of potential. It was a huge win for Sam at No. 2. She proved she is willing to whatever it takes for however long it takes to get the win."
Already well into their season, the Yotes improved to 3-3 on the year as the Wildcats worked off the winter rust.
DOUBLES
No. 1 doubles proved competitive as Baltz paired with her fellow junior
Kaitlynn Canubida for a strong performance, but the 'Cats fell 6-4 to senior duo Kinsey Lockhart and Lina Boylan.
"Kaitlynn and Sam battled to the end after being up 4-3 and a point away from serving for the set," said Whitehead. "As they become accustomed to playing together, they will surprise some teams.
The doubles point had already been determined by the time the top matchup ended, as the Yotes' Nicole Tran and Hristina Ljuba shut out sophomore
Sundi King and freshman
Gianna Molony at No. 2 doubles and Elizabeth Sagehorn and Kylie Barrus defeated freshmen duo
Lyla Khlee and
Steffenie Stark by an identical score at No. 3.
SINGLES
After the Yotes took a 1-0 lead after doubles, Baltz got the Wildcats on the board with an impressive straight sets win over Lockhart, commanding the action in the first set and eventually won 6-4, 6-2.
But the Yotes managed to take a 3-1 lead through the first half of singles thanks to wins at No. 1 and No. 3.
At top of the lineup Canubida, coming off an all-conference season in 2025, was competive early but eventually found herself on the wrong end of the No. 1 matchup falling to Ljuba 6-3, 6-0.
At No. 3, the Yotes' Alyssa Johnson beat Kin 6-1, 6-2, before the match was clinched at 4-1 by Tran's win over junior
Emily Redwood at No. 4.
"Kaitlynn faced a very talented No. 1 and never stopped playing tough," said Whitehead. "Sundi is working to get back into form after being gone most of Jan-term, and for not being 100 percent yet, Emily showed signs of what she can do."
Molony immediately showed her singles potential at No. 5 in her collegiate singles debut, giving a valiant effort against Barrus despite still falling in straight sets 7-5, 6-1.
"For her first collegiate match, Gianna played some great tennis," said Whitehead. "Her forehand is her bread and butter and she hit a few big winners today. When she begins to master closing out points, she will capture some big 'W's' for us."
The match concluded with Sagehorn beating sophomore
Lilianna Cano 6-0, 6-0 to set the final score at 6-1.
"Overall, pleased with our performance against a very resurgent COI team," said Whitehead. "Looking forward to facing Portland State tomorrow and then back on the practice courts next week."
NEXT
The Wildcats will head to Beaverton, Ore. tomorrow to play Division-I Portland State in an exhibition match at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center.
Northwest Conference competition begins next weekend for the 'Cats hosting Puget Sound on February 13, before hosting Willamette and California Lutheran in a mixed doubleheader the following day.
