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

BEAVERTON, ORE. -- Willamette University defeated Pacific University, 6-3, in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match at the Tualatin Hill Tennis Center on Friday, March 27. The win avenged a 7-2 loss to the Boxers in Salem, Ore., on Feb. 27. In the first meeting, the Bearcats competed without #1 singles and #1 doubles player Shannon Palmer (Fr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS) due to injury and illness.

Palmer was back for the second meeting between the two teams, and she won #1 singles over Cat Goya, 7-5, 6-1. Her presence on the court also allowed Willamette's other players to move down a position in singles. As a result, WU won four of six singles matches. The 'Cats also claimed wins in two of the three doubles matches.

The victory upped Willamette's record to 5-9 overall, 4-7 in the NWC. Pacific fell to 6-7 for the season, all in NWC action.

In addition to Palmer, other Bearcats who earned wins in singles were Abby Funabiki (Sr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS/Quinnipiac University), Fabi Dieguez (Fr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS/Oregon State Univ.) and Jamie Slonaker (So., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS). Funabiki won #3 singles over Jaime Yoshino, 6-2, 6-1.

Dieguez won at #4 singles, as she defeated Dayna Wong, 6-4, 6-3. Slonaker downed Tessa Krebs at #5 singles, using a tie-breaker in the first set, before pulling away, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.

Pacific claimed the #1 doubles match, with Goya and Yoshimoto defeating Palmer and Kristen Dedijer-Small (Fr., Dallas, OR/Oaks Christian HS/Chemeketa CC), 8-0. WU won the other two doubles matches, as Morrison and Funabiki triumphed at #2 and Dieguez and Annika Moffett (Fr., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) registered the victory at #3.

Willamette will host Lewis & Clark College in an NWC match on Sunday, March 29. The match has been moved indoors and will be played at the Courthouse Tennis Club (1139 Madison NE) in Salem, Ore., starting at 4 p.m. (PDT).

Friday, March 27
At Tualatin Hills Tennis Center, Beaverton, Ore.

Willamette University 6, Pacific University 3

Singles
#1 - Shannon Palmer (WU) defeated Cat Goya (PAC), 7-5, 6-1
#2 - Megan Yoshimoto (PAC) defeated Alyssa Morrison (WU), 6-2 6-1
#3 - Abby Funabiki (WU) defeated Jaime Yoshino (PAC), 6-2, 6-1
#4 - Fabi Dieguez (WU) defeated Dayna Wong (PAC), 6-4, 6-3
#5 - Jamie Slonaker (WU) defeated Tessa Krebs (PAC), 7-6 (7-3), 6-2
#6 - Sami Richards (PAC) defeated Samantha Wong, 6-2, 6-4

Doubles
#1 - Goya and Yoshimoto (PAC) defeated Palmer and Kristen Dedijer-Small (WU), 8-0
#2 - Morrison and Funabiki (WU) defeated Wong and Yoshino (PAC), 8-6
#3 - Dieguez and Annika Moffett (WU) defeated Stephanie Velligas and Dawn Greene (PAC), 8-2

Records:
Willamette University is 5-9 overall, 4-7 in the Northwest Conference. Pacific University is 6-7 overall, 6-7 in the NWC.