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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Pirates of Whitworth University gained an early lead and momentum by sweeping the doubles matches, on their way to a 9-0 victory over Willamette University to remain atop the NWC standing, Friday, March 13 at the Courthouse Tennis Center. Whitworth took over sole possession of first place in the conference at 9-0, one-half match in front of Linfield College, 8-0.

Whitworth also improved to 10-2 on the season. Willamette moved to 4-7 overall, 3-6 in the NWC.

The Pirates won #1 doubles, 8-5, as Linh Aven and Mya Towne outlasted Shannon Palmer (Fr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS) and Abby Funabiki (Sr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS/Quinnipiac Univ.), 8-5. Alli Marshall and Katie Staudinger won #2 doubles for Whitworth over Fabi Dieguez (Fr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS/Oregon State Univ.) and Annika Moffett (Fr., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS), 8-2.

Erica Bosman and Justine Hays claimed #3 doubles for the Pirates. They defeated Alyssa Morrison (Jr., Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS) and Jamie Slonaker (So., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS), 8-3.

Willamette was unable to steal the momentum during the singles action. Rachel Burns won #1 singles over Palmer, 6-4, 6-1, in a match-up of two of the NWC's top players.

The Bearcats will host Whitman College in NWC action on Saturday, March 14. Start time is set for 3 p.m. (PDT) at the WU Tennis Courts if weather permits. If weather forces the teams to play indoors, the match will begin at 4 p.m. (PDT) at the Courthouse Tennis Club.

Friday, March 13, 2009
At Courthouse Tennis Club, Salem, Ore.

Singles
#1 - Rachel Burns (WHTW) defeated Shannon Palmer (WU), 6-4, 6-1
#2 - Alli Marshall (WHTW) defeated Alyssa Morrison (WU), 6-3, 6-2
#3 - Linh Aven (WHTW) defeated Abby Funabiki (WU), 6-4, 6-1
#4 - Mya Towne (WHTW) defeated Fabi Dieguez (WU), 6-2, 6-3
#5 - Erica Bosman (WHTW) defeated Kristen Dedijer-Small (WU), 6-2, 6-3
#6 - Katie Staudinger (WHTW) defeated Jamie Slonaker (WU), 6-0, 6-0

Doubles
#1 - Aven and Towne (WHTW) defeated Palmer and Funabiki (WU), 8-5
#2 - Marshall and Staudinger (WHTW) defeated Dieguez and Annika Moffett (WU), 8-2
#3 - Bosman and Justine Hays (WHTW) defeated Morrison and Slonaker (WU), 8-3

Records:
Whitworth University is 10-2 overall, 9-0 in the NWC. Willamette University is 4-7 overall, 3-6 in the NWC.