PARKLAND - There were positive signs for the Pacific Lutheran women's tennis team on Friday afternoon despite a 7-2 season-opening loss to the Linfield Wildcats at Sprinker Recreation Center.

Linfield, a Northwest Conference power, started out with wins in two of the three doubles matches, and it also took five wins in singles.

The Lutes took a win at third doubles from senior Caitlyn Hoerr and frosh Saiyare Refaei, who beat Kiana Nip and Katherine Allison, 8-4. PLU won at first singles where frosh Leah Newell rallied from a set down to beat Linfield veteran Sophie Larson, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Tina Aarsvold gave it a good go at second singles before falling to Lexi Thomas, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1). In the other singles matches, Linfield picked up straight-set wins from Sarah Click, Caroline Brigham, Sarah Watanabe and Nip.

In doubles, the Linfield teams of Larson-Brigham and Watanabe-Thomas were winners.

Pacific Lutheran returns to action at 3 p.m. Saturday when it hosts the Pacific Boxers in another Northwest Conference match at the UPS Tennis Pavilion.

- PLU -