By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University swept the doubles matches and then added victories at #1, #3, #5 and #6 singles, as the Bearcats rolled past Highline College (Wash.) iin an exhibition match on Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Salem Tennis and Swim Club. Highline's record fell to 0-2. The match does not change Willamette's record because the NCAA does not count results against two-year colleges.
At #1 doubles, Sarah Dean (So., Boise, ID/Timberline HS) and Robin Pashek (So., The Dalles, OR/The Dalles-Wahtonka HS) defeated Miriam Cabrera and Lexi Maison of Highline, 8-5. In #2 doubles, WU's team of Sylvia Marr (So., Grants Pass, OR/Hidden Valley HS) and Alexis Gjurasic (Sr., Olympia, WA/Capital HS) grabbed an 8-3 win over Danielle Mendoza and Mikyla Olsen, 8-3. The #3 doubles match went to Bearcats Siena Ginsburg (So., Bend, OR/Summit HS) and Hannah Andres (Sr., Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) with an 8-2 triumph over Kaylin Phan and Nikelle Price.
"Sweeping the doubles today was a demonstration of real resilience after yesterday's match (at George Fox)," Willamette Head Coach Bryce Parmelly said. "I am so proud of this group. It was a fantastic effort on multiple levels."
In the top singles match, Dean of Willamette easily moved past Cabrera, 6-0, 6-2. At #3 singles, Ginsburg won a close first set against Mendoza, before taking the second set 6-2. Also winning in singles for the Bearcats were Gjurasic and Schwartz. Gjurasic downed Phan at #5 singles, 6-4, 6-2. Schwartz won at #6 singles, 6-1, 6-2, over Price.
Highline's two wins were recorded by Maison at #2 singles and Olsen at #4 singles. Maison won a lengthy match over Pashek in a third-set tie-breaker, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4). Olsen defeated Marr, 6-2, 6-1.
Willamette will take on Bellevue College (Wash.) in an exhibition match on Friday, March 1 at Salem Tennis and Swim Club. The action is scheduled to stat at 4 p.m. (PST).
Big Moment of the Match for Willamette
Sarah Dean earned wins at #1 singles and #1 doubles.
In #2 singles she defeated Miriam Cabrera, 6-0, 6-2. At
#1 doubles, Dean combined with Robin Pashek for an 8-5
victory over Cabrera and Lexi Maison.