TUALIATIN, ORE. -- Willamette University and George Fox University played competitive singles and doubles matches, but the Bearcats were more successful at winning the closely-contested battles, as WU recorded a 7-2 team victory over the Bruins, Friday, Feb. 29 at the Tualatin HiIls Recreation Center. Willamette moved to 1-5 on the season, 1-4 in the Northwest Conference, while GFU dropped to 0-6 overall, 0-5 in the NWC.
Tiffany Kam (Sr., Pearl City, HI/Punahou School) won #1 singles and teamed with Alaine Anderson (Sr., Santa Ana, CA/Foothills HS) to win #1 doubles for the Bearcats. In her singles match, Kam edged Heather Orr in a first set tie-breaker before winning easily in the second set for a 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 victory. In doubles Kam and Anderson slipped past Lindsay Hagler and Kelsie Howell of GFU in a tie-breaker, 9-8 (7-2).
WU also claimed a close win at #3 doubles. Jamie Slonaker (Fr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) and Samantha Wong (Fr., Honolulu, HI/Iolani HS) earned the win, as they edged out Brittany Ekstrom and Sarah Ashpole, 9-7.
George Fox registered its only wins at #2 doubles and #3 singles. In #2 doubles, the win was supplied by Orr and Mollee Robinson, who defeated Willamette's team of Alyssa Morrison (So., Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS) and Abby Funabiki (Jr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS) by a score of 8-5. In #3 singles, Ekstrom rallied past Morrison for a 3-6, 7-5, 11-9 win that was decided by a super tie-breaker rather than a third set.
Wong won #6 singles for the Bearcats in another match decided by a super tie-breaker. She defeated Courtney Banks of GFU, 6-3, 2-6, 10-8. Anderson of WU won at #2 singles in straight sets over Hagler, but the scores were close at 7-5 and 6-3. Likewise, Slonaker was victorious for the 'Cats at #5 singles, as she downed Robinson in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7).
Willamette will play at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, March 1. Match time is slated for 10 a.m. (PST).
Friday, Feb. 29
At Tualatin Hills Tennis Center, Beaverton, Ore.
Willamette University 7, George Fox University 2
Singles
#1 - Tiffany Kam (WU) defeated Heather Orr (GFU), 7-6, 6-2
#2 - Alaine Anderson (WU) defeated Lindsay Hagler (GFU), 7-5, 6-3
#3 - Brittany Ekstrom (GFU) defeated Alyssa Morrison (WU), 3-6, 7-5, 11-9*
#4 - Abby Funabiki (WU) defeated Shanna Lesire (GFU), 6-2, 6-4
#5 - Jamie Slonaker (WU) defeated Mollee Robinson (GFU), 6-3, 7-6 (9-7)
#6 - Samantha Wong (WU) defeated Courtney Banks (GFU), 6-3, 2-6, 10-8*
Doubles
#1 - Kam and Anderson (WU) defeated Hagler and Kelsie Howell (GFU), 9-8 (7-2)
#2 - Orr and robinson (GU) defeated Morrison and Funabiki (WU), 8-5
#3 - Slonaker and Wong (WU) defeated Ekstrom and Sarah Ashpole (GFU), 9-7
* Tie-breaker played instead of a third set
Records: Willamette is 1-5 overall, 1-4 in the NWC; George Fox is 0-6 overall, 0-5 in the NWC.
