By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. --Willamette University will compete at the Pioneer Invitational in women's golf on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15 at Heron Lakes Golf Club. The women's teams will play two rounds -- one each day -- on the Greenback Course. The tournament is hosted by Lewis & Clark College.

Golfers in Willamette's lineup will be LettaJoe Gallup (Jr., Alameda, CA/Holy Names HS), Taneesh Sra (Jr., Fremont, CA/Mission San Jose HS), Maddi Barnett (Fr., Boise, Idaho/Timberline HS) and Holly Steele (Fr., Stayton, OR/Stayton HS).

"We are still right in the middle of the pack," WU Head Coach Patrick Daugherty said regarding the Bearcats' standing in the Northwest Conference. "The women have been working extremely hard on their games being out on the golf course in this great weather. Theres just a very good vibe ... a sense of preparedness."

The Bearcats, who have battled illness in recent weeks, are a bit healthier for this week's competition.

"I feel like with the women we got off to a rocky start because we had kids who were sick," Daugherty said. "Since then, it has just been night and day because weve had everybody there at practice and that makes a huge difference."

Willamette will be joined at the Pioneer Invitational by other NWC teams from Lewis & Clark, Whitworth University, Pacific University and Linfield College.

In Willamette's first action of the spring season, the Bearcats took second place at the Willamette Cup, hosted by Pacific at Quail Valley Golf Course. Sra tied for first place with Madeline Rice from Linfield with an 82. Barnett was third after shooting an 89.