Doubles Sweep Proves Costly as Tennis Women Lose to Wildcats

News Release Date:
Saturday, February 18

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Getting swept in the opening round of doubles proved costly as Whitman College dropped a 6-3 women's tennis match to Linfield Saturday in McMinnville, Ore.

Linfield improved to 2-0 in the Northwest Conference and 3-0 overall. Whitman slid to 0-1 in the NWC and 0-2 on the season.

Courtney Morgan

After losing three competitive matches in doubles, Whitman rebounded to take the top three matches in singles, squaring the team score at 3-3.

Courtney Lawless, one of Whitman's first-year players, beat senior Abby Olbrich 6-4, 6-1 in the No. 1 singles slot.

Missionary junior Alyssa Roberg won at No. 2 singles, besting sophomore Caroline Brigham 6-3, 7-5.

Alyssa Roberg

Morgan Lawless, Courtney's twin sister, won 7-6 (7-2), 6-1 at No. 3 singles, beating junior Lexi Thomas.

With the match dead even, first-year Wildcat Kaila Nip made it 4-3 Linfield with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Whitman junior Kate Kunkel-Patterson at No. 4 singles.

Kiana Nip, a Linfield senior, then clinched the team victory with a 6-4, 6-3 decision in the No. 5 spot, downing Missionary senior Emily Rolston.

Morgan Lawless

With the team result decided, first-year Kelly Watanabe bounced back for a 3-6, 6-4, 10-3 over Whitman sophomore Hannah Palkowitz at No. 6 singles.

Whitman will get its shot at payback when Linfield comes to Walla Walla on April 6.

For now, Whitman heads to Salem on Sunday for a neutral-court non-conference match against La Verne. That match starts at 4:30 p.m. at the Courthouse Tennis Club.

The Missionaries stay in Salem on Monday for a 12:30 p.m. NWC match against Willamette.

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CONTACT: Dave Holden
Sports Information Director
Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash.
509 527-5902; holden@whitman.edu