SPOKANE, Wash. – Defending Northwest Conference champion Linfield defeated Whitworth 8-1 in the NWC women's tennis opener for both teams on Saturday at the Scotford Tennis Center.

The Wildcats (2-1 overall, 1-0 NWC) swept the doubles and went on to take five of six singles matches.  Linfield was the last conference title winner in 2019.  There was no champion in 2020 after the season was cancelled.

Aleah Kert earned the Pirates' (0-4, 0-1) only point at #2 singles when she pulled out a 6-1, 1-6, 7-6 (5) win over Taryn Fujimori.

The three doubles contests were competitive.  Kert and Avery Liening fell 8-3 to Tessa Kern and Lexie Matsunaga at #1 doubles in a match that featured long, close games.

Froukje Lakerveld and Lauren Ikeda lost 8-6 at #3 doubles, which finished first despite the close score.  Kyndal Locati and Hannah Plank were defeated 8-4 at #2 doubles.

Liening lost 6-3, 6-4 to Kern at #1 singles.  Matsunaga beat Plank 6-4, 6-3 at #3 singles.

Whitworth and Linfield will meet again on Sunday in a non-conference matchup.