MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield women's tennis wrapped up its 2026 season on Sunday with a 6-1 defeat to the Lewis & Clark River Otters.
The Wildcats nearly took the doubles point but Lewis & Clark won two narrow sets at the start of the match, while singles competition was highlighted for Linfield by a
Samantha Baltz victory at No. 2.
"We went into this match with the desire to just play for each other and simply enjoy the game itself and finish the year with great effort," said head coach
Phil Whitehead. "I actually thought our lineup played very well today just against a strong Lewis & Clark lineup. We showed not only improvement in our shot making but also our court IQ."
DOUBLES
The River Otters took an early lead in doubles with a 6-0 win at No. 3. Linfield nearly took the top two contests but in the end Lewis & Clark won seventh games in both flights.
At No. 2 Maya Curry and Alex Mignogna managed to take a 7-5 win against
Emily Redwood and
Gianna Molony, winning four out of six games after trailing 5-3, in the Linfield tandem's just second match together.
"These two showed great chemistry and fed off each other to raise their game," said Whitehead. "I'm proud of them and looking forward to a possible new duo next year."
Meanwhile at No. 1 Lewis & Clark clinched doubles by Susanna Anand and Emma Loucks winning an even flight with Baltz and
Kaitlynn Canubida that eventually came down to a narrow tiebreak, 7-6 (9-7).
SINGLES
Lewis & Clark added to the lead with a win for Curry at No. 3 against Redwood 6-1, 6-1, followed up by Anand, the No. 15 player in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Division III West region, beating Canubida 6-2, 6-1 at the top of the lineup.
"Kaitlynn battled tough against Susanna who is the number two player in the conference," said Whitehead. "She held her own and I was pleased with her performance."
Linfield's win by Baltz staved off a sweep thanks to the junior's strong 6-4, 6-2 performance against Makoni. Baltz ends the season with a team high six wins, all coming as the Wildcat's No. 2 player.
"Sam played a phenomenal match," said Whitehead. "She outlasted her opponent by continually changing up the rallies and attacking when she had the opportunities. Playing through the pain of her injured hand she stayed focused and kept fighting for the entire match. This was a big win and I am so happy for her."
The River Otters clinched soon after with a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 4, then adding a 6-0, 6-1 at No. 6.
The season's action concluded with Mignona beating Molony at No. 5 6-2, 6-1.
"This group has come a long way and will only come back next season better and more competitive," said Whitehead. "We are going to be adding a few key newcomers next year that will make this team stronger throughout the lineup. It was a tough season win-loss-wise, but we needed to grow and we have, and it sets us up well for the future."
"Trust me, the 'Cats will be back."
