PORTLAND, Ore.—Defending conference champion Linfield College downed Lewis & Clark College 9-0 on Saturday afternoon at the L&C Tennis Dome. 

Follow the Lewis & Clark Pioneers on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #PiosWTEN | #RollPios | #chamPIOns  

KEY MOMENTS

After falling behind 3-0 after doubles, Lewis & Clark aimed to mount a comeback in singles play and proved to be much more competitive. The Pioneers took the first set at first and second singles and nearly added the first set at third singles. 

"Once the Wildcats clinched the match, we lost our focus and a drive a little bit," head coach Jimmy Chau said. "Credit Linfield for really locking in and showing their championship pedigree." 

At first singles, Rachael Rice battled back-and-forth with Taryn Fujimori in the first set before taking it with a tiebreak win 7-6 (10-6). Fujimore stormed back to take the second set 6-1 and won a third-set super tiebreaker 10-4. 

Caren Uribe was equally competitive at second singles. She took the first set 7-6 (10-3), before falling 6-1 in the second set to Lexie Matsunaga. In the third set super tiebreaker, Matsunanga earned a 10-6 edge. 

At third singles, Maca Vives bounced back from losing the first set 7-5, to rush out to a 3-0 lead in the second set. She began struggling with an injury and eventually retired after falling behind 7-5, 4-3. 

In doubles play, Arielle Bloom and Vives were the most competitive Pioneers pairing. The duo fell 8-4 at third doubles. 

DEEPER LOOK 

• Linfield has now won 35-consecutive regular-season conference matches dating back to March 11, 2017. Lewis & Clark is the last NWC team to defeat the Wildcats in the regular season, as they earned a 5-4 win over Linfield on March 4, 2017 at Linfield. 
• The Pioneers wrap up their nine-match homestand (and first nine matches in the new L&C Tennis Dome) with a 6-3 record. 
• Linfield (1-0) and Whitman (2-0) are the lone undefeated teams left in the NWC. 

WHO'S NEXT 

Lewis & Clark will look to get back into the win column on Sunday, when they travel to take on Pacific University at 11 a.m.