By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Sarah Dean (Jr., Boise, ID/Timberline HS) of Willamette University won #1 singles without losing a game, and teammate Robin Pashek (Jr., The Dalles, OR/The Dalles-Wahtonka HS) prevailed at #2 singles by winning two close sets, but George Fox University won the remaining singles and doubles matches to defeat the Bearcats, 7-2, in a non-conference match at the Salem Tennis and Swim Club on Saturday, Feb. 8. It was the season opener for both teams, with GFU moving to 1-0 and Willamette falling to 0-1. The teams will play their Northwest Conference match at George Fox on March 8.

Dean defeated Taylor Morris of GFU in the #1 singles match, 6-0, 6-0. Pashek outlasted Danielle Brown of the Bruins, 6-4, 6-3, at #2 singles.

The Bruins put together a 3-0 lead by winning all three doubles matches. At #1 doubles, the GFU pairing of Sophia Lawrence and Laney Search downed Dean and Pashek, 8-5. In the #2 doubles match, Jillian Studer and Morris defeated Sylvia Marr (Jr., Grants Pass, OR/Hidden Valley HS) and Alyssa Oberg (Sr., Roseville, CA/Oakmont HS), also by an 8-5 score. The #3 doubles match was won by Ellie Mangan and Megan Wilks from George Fox over Rebecca Griffith (Fy., Fort Collins, CO/Rocky Mountain HS) and Paisley Lieske (Fy., Seattle, WA/Vashon Island HS), 8-1.

Search won #3 singles for the Bruins against Marr, 6-1, 6-3. Allisa Byde from GFU held off Oberg, 6-4, in the first set at #4 singles, before winning the second set, 6-0. Other winners in singles for George Fox were Olivia Morris in the #5 match and Mangan in the #6 match.

The Bearcats will return to action on Sunday, Feb. 16 during a non-conference match in Forest Grove, Oregon, against Pacific University. Match time is slated for 4 p.m. (PST).