By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's tennis team played a non-conference match at Linfield University on Sunday, Feb. 5. In order to speed up play since the match was indoors and the WU men's tennis team also was taking on the Wildcats, the singles matches lasted one 8-game pro-set, while the doubles matches featured a single set played to six wins.

In the women's match-up, Linfield defeated the Bearcats, 9-0. Linfield improved to 1-1 on the season, while Willamette fell to 0-2. It was WU's first dual match since the Bearcats lost at the University of Puget Sound, 5-4, last fall.

Willamette's lineup included Richelle Suzuki (So., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) at #1 singles, Anika Groener (So., Bend, OR/Summit HS) at #2 singles, Alexa de Crinis (Fy., Makawao, HI/Seabury Hall School) at #3 singles, along with Ruby Blake (Jr., La Crosse, WI/Central HS) playing #4 singles, McKenna Turner (Jr., Junction City, OR/Junction City HS) at #5 singles, and Paisley Lieske (Sr., Seattle, WA/Vashon Island HS) at #6 singles. Doubles pairing for the Bearcats were Suzuki and Groener in the #1 match, de Crinis and Blake at #2 doubles, and Turner and Paisley at #3 doubles.

Winning the top three singles matches for Linfield were Taryn Fujiora at #1, Lexie Matsunaga at #2, and Allena Wong at #3. Fujimora and Matsunaga combined to win #1 doubles over Suzuki and Groener of Willamette, 6-0. At #2 doubles, Linfield's team of Wong and Emma Tuttle outscored de Crinis and Blake, 6-2. The #3 doubles match was won by Alexis Garner and Sarah Forrester of Linfield.

The Bearcats will return to competition on Saturday, Feb. 11 with an exhibition match against the Oregon State Club team. Match time in Corvallis, Oregon, is slated for 2 p.m. (PST).