By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Lewis & Clark College, ranked #18 in NCAA Division III by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), won its dual season opener against Willamette University, 9-0, on Friday, Feb. 17 at the L&C Tennis Dome. The Pioneers moved to 1-0 on the season, 1-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette fell to 0-3 overall, 0-2 in the NWC. Both of Willamette's NWC losses have been to nationally-ranked teams.

The Pioneers, who are ranked #3 in the West Region, took a 3-0 lead by sweeping the doubles competition. Alyssa Oberg (Fr., Roseville, CA/Oakmont HS) and Mina Mizutani (Fr., Los Alamitos, CA/Los Alamitos HS) of Willamette played the closest match at #3 doubles, as Carla Thomas and Caroline Hennes of L&C won, 8-3.

At #1 singles, Wiktoria Plawska of Lewis & Clark defeated Mikaila Smith (Jr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) of Willamette, 6-2, 6-3. Plawska is ranked #13 in NCAA Division III in singles.

Two other nationally-ranked players earned wins for the Pioneers. Jose Legarza, ranked #39, prevailed at #2 singles over Hannah Andres (So., Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS), 6-0, 6-1. Christine Eliazo, ranked #44, downed Alexis Gjurasic (So., Olympia, WA/Capital HS), 6-1, 6-0.

Willamette will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 26, with a Northwest Conference match at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. Match time is set for 12 p.m. (PST).