McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Linfield took two of three doubles matches and then picked up three close singles victories on the way to a 7-2 Northwest Conference men's tennis win Friday after over Pacific Lutheran at Linfield Tennis Center.

The match was the season opener for both teams and was played at the indoor Rutschman Field House.

Taylor Dickey and Scott Taylor combined to wallop Mark Magdaong and Brent Kingzett, 8-1, at first doubles, but the Lutes were unable to hang with the other two Linfield teams, who took 8-0 and 8-5 victories.

The top three singles matches were close, with two of them going to a third set tiebreaker. Magdaong, one of the NWC's top singles players, took a 6-1, 7-6 (7-2) win over Taylor at first singles. Tal DeWitt and PLU's Sheldon went to a third set tiebreaker at second singles before DeWitt prevailed, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4). The third singles match was even closer as Cody Levien held off Zack AhYat, 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (7-5). For AhYat, it was nonetheless a welcome return to the tennis court after he missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.

The Lutes did pick up a victory in a match that exceeded two sets as Reid Gunstone topped Tim Wagar, 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-7), as sixth singles. The other two matches went to Linfield's Kingzett at fourth singles and Zachery Lyons at fifth singles.

PLU returns to action tomorrow when it plays the Pacific Boxers. The team's first home match is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 26, against College of Idaho, though the match will be played at the UPS Tennis Pavilion at 10 a.m.

- PLU -