TACOMA, WASH. -- Pacific Lutheran University won three-set matches at #2 singles and #3 singles to send the Lutes to a 6-3 victory over Willamette University in Northwest Conference action, Friday evening, Feb. 15, at the Puget Sound Tennis Pavilion. PLU opened its season at 1-0 overall and 1-0 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 0-2 overall, 0-1 in the NWC.
At #2 singles, Liz Currey edged Willamette's Alaine Anderson (Sr., Santa Ana, CA/Foothills HS), 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. The loss ended Anderson's impressive string of dual match singles victories at 14. The #3 singles match included three tie-breakers before Ashley Coats of PLU defeated Alyssa Morrison (So., Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS), 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5).
Matches at #2 and #3 singles weren't the only ones decided by tie-breakers and close finishes. At #1 singles, Erika Feltus earned a win for the Lutes in straight sets, but faced a strong challenge from Tiffany Kam (Sr., Pearl City, HI/Punahou School) with scores of 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.
The #5 singles match was won by Emily Elliott (So., Woodside, CA/Woodside Priory) of Willamette over Esther Ham in straight sets, but again a tie-breaker was involved in the 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) decision. Another tie-breaker occurred at #6 singles, as Samantha Wong (Fr., Honolulu, HI/Iolani HS) edged Deanna Ellmer, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
PLU surged out to a 2-1 lead by winning #1 and #3 doubles. The #3 doubles match was close, with Ham and Ellmer defeating Elliott and Wong, 8-6. Willamette was victorious at #2 doubles, with Kam and Abby Funabiki (Jr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS) downing Currey and Ashley Brooks, 8-4.
Willamette plays again on Sunday, Feb. 17 with a short road trip to McMinnville, Ore., to take on NWC rival Linfield College. Match time is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Pacific Lutheran University 6, Willamette University 3
Singles
#1 - Erika Feltus (PLU) defeated Tiffany Kam (WU), 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
#2 - Liz Currey (PLU) defeated Alaine Anderson (WU), 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
#3 - Ashley Coats (PLU) defeated Alyssa Morrison (WU), 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5)
#4 - Ashley Brooks (PLU) defeated Abby Funabiki (WU), 6-3, 6-2
#5 - Emily Elliott (WU) defeated Esther Ham (PLU), 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
#6 - Samantha Wong (WU) defeated Deanna Ellmer, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
Doubles
#1 - Feltus and Coats (PLU) defeated Anderson and Morrison (WU), 8-2
#2 - Kam and Funabiki (WU) defeated Currey and Brooks (PLU), 8-4
#3 - Ham and Ellmer (PLU) defeated Elliott and Wong (WU), 8-6
Records: Willamette is 0-2 overall, 0-1 in the NWC; Pacific Lutheran is 1-0 overall, 1-0 in the NWC.
Emily Elliott was a winner for Willamette at #5 singles and #3 doubles against Pacific Lutheran.
