By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer
PARKLAND, Wash. -- Mikaila Smith (Jr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) won a thrilling match at #1 singles, but Pacific Lutheran University prevailed in the remaining singles matches and swept the doubles competition, defeating Willamette University, 8-1, in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match at the Sprinker Rec Center on Sunday, March 12.
PLU improved to 1-7 on the season, and 1-6 in NWC play. Willamette fell to 0-8 overall, and 0-7 in the NWC.
Smith battled Caroline Dreher through three full sets, including two tiebreaks, before finally prevailing 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 10-7.
PLU swept the remaining singles matches in straight sets. In the #3 singles match, Megan Beyers and Alexis Gjurasic (So., Olympia, WA/Capital HS) played a competitive first set, with Beyers winning 6-4. Beyers won the second set, 6-1. At #5 singles, Lauren Kearney downed Rachel Kong (So., Hayward, CA/Castro Valley HS), 6-3, 6-2. The #6 singles match was also competitive, with Kylie Rademacher defeating Noemi Cruz-Cruz (Jr., Galt, CA/Liberty Ranch HS) 6-3, 6-1.
The Lutes also took all three doubles matches, as Beyers and Dreher edged past Smith and Gjurasic, 8-4. At #2 doubles, Emily Beemsterboer and Emily Bower defeated Mina Mizutani (Fr., Los Alamitos, CA/Los Alamitos HS) and Kong, 8-2, while at the #3 position, Kearney and Kristi Floyd pulled away from Katie Adams (Jr., McLean, VA/American International School) and Hannah Andres (So., Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS), 8-4.
The Bearcats will step out of NWC play for their next match, on Friday, March 17, against Colorado College. Match time at the WU Tennis Courts is set for 4 p.m. (PDT).