Match Results

MCMINNVILLE - Northwest Conference-leading and No. 27 nationally-ranked Whitman moved a step closer toward the program's second consecutive league championship Friday night with an 8-1 victory in the Linfield Tennis Center over the host Wildcats.

"Another great day," Whitman coach John Hein said.

The Missionaries, currently ranked fifth in the latest NCAA Division III West Region poll, raised their NWC-best mark to 10-0 and their overall record to 12-10.

Courtney Lawless, Jenna Dobrin, Erin Bell and Katrina Allick had successful days in both singles and doubles for Whitman. Lawless, the West's fourth-ranked singles performer, outlasted Linfield's Caroline Brigham at No. 1, 6-3, 1-6, 10-8, and teamed up with Maddy Webster for an 8-5 victory in No. 1 doubles.

"Courtney's day was a little bit tough," Hein said. "Caroline is a great athlete. Both of Courtney's efforts were just gutsy. They showed how physically strong she is and her mental strength was terrific.
"Maddy brought everything," Hein said. "No win in doubles is easy. Maddy served smartly and did the simple things you have to do to win at a high level."

Dobrin hammered her way to a 6-3, 6-0 triumph in second singles against Kaila Nip - who defeated her earlier this season - and joined forces with Hannah Palkowitz for a third-doubles win, 8-1.

"Jenna was awesome," Hein said. "The scores did tell the story. In doubles, her ground strokes were big. In singles, she came out and turned it around and played some great tennis.

"Hannah served and returned well and that was huge," Hein said. "She was finishing a lot."

Bell and Allick were straight-set victors in third and fifth singles, respectively, and united to win a No. 2 doubles encounter by an 8-4 count.

"They stayed close, but when they got it going, they got it going," Hein said. "It was nice for Katrina because she's been working on expanding her game style. She did that today. She was poised and played with so much composure."

Allie Wallin picked up a victory for the Missionaries at No. 4 singles, 6-0, 6-1.

"Allie is playing great tennis," Hein said. "She had an injury earlier in the year which gave her a great appreciation for her time on the court. She makes the most of every day on the court."

Whitman ends its road trip and both conference and regular-season play Saturday against Willamette (9:30 a.m.) and Pacific (3 p.m.).