Boxscore
by Jimmy Chau
PORTLAND, OR.-
Taking on another title contender on a second consecutive day, the Pios come out to show they belong in the conversation of championship quality teams. Linfield's depth would prove to be the difference in a 6-3 win, but competitive matches were had all the way around.
Leading early in all three doubles matches, the Pios were setting the stage for a very competitive day against their conference rival opponents. Amalia Nilsson and Izzy Borris would come out blazing to a 3-0 start at #1 doubles but the swirling winds seemed to get the better of them as Abby Olbrich and Sarah Click would take eight out of the last nine games in stunning fashion. Whitney DeBree and Jill Coleman continued their strong doubles play this weekend as this time they came out on top of a tight match at #2 doubles. Both teams battled back and forth all the way into a tie-breaker where the pair would deliver the shot in the arm that the Pios needed with a 9-8 (7-4) win to bring the match score to 2-1.
Linfield would take back the momentum as Caroline Brigham would use a very solid ground game to grind out a 6-1, 6-4 over Jill Coleman at #4 singles. The Pios would answer though with two wins of their own at #1 and #3 singles to square the match at 3-3. Izzy Borris avenged an earlier loss this season to Sarah Click, 6-1, 6-4 and Amalia Nilsson would win 6-2, 6-3 over a very feisty Sophia Larson. Whitney DeBree would had the best shot to give the Pios another point but conference newcomer Lexi Thomas would find her game at the end of two very close sets to win 6-4, 6-4. Makena McCluskey seemed to struggle to find her game after a very close first set in a 7-5, 6-1 loss to Sarah Watanabe. With the match already decided, Olivia Sweetman had to retire after rolling her ankle in a 6-1, 2-2 loss to Kiana Nip. The Pioneers rebounded well after a drubbing the previous night and look forward to continuing their drive to a conference playoff berth.
The Pios will face the Willamette Bearcats at home on February 25th at 3:30 pm.
