By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Richelle Suzuki (So., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) and Anika Groener (So., Bend, OR/Summit HS) of Willamette University won #1 doubles, and WU teammates Alexa de Crinis (Fy., Makawao, HI/Seabury Hall School) and Ruby Thompson (Sr., Bay City, OR/Tillamook HS) prevailed at #2 doubles, but visiting Bellevue College (Wash.) defeated the Bearcats in a women's tennis exhibition match on Friday, Feb. 17. The match was an exhibition because the NCAA does not count results against two-year colleges.

The match was held at the Salem Tennis and Swim Club. In addition to earning wins at #1 and #2 doubles, the Bearcats received a win from de Crinis at #2 singles, as she finished 2-0 on the day.

In the #1 doubles match, Suzuki and Groener downed Santamon Ransibrahmanakul and Tess Wimer of Bellevue, 8-3. At #2 doubles, de Crinis and Thompson outscored Halle Burt and Bean Lowe, 8-4. The Bulldogs won #3 doubles, as Justine Mangkornkeo and Emily Habib defeated McKenna Turner (Jr., Junction City, OR/Junction City HS) and Paisley Lieske (Sr., Seattle, WA/Vashon Island HS) of Willamette, 8-4.

Ransibrahmanakul moved past Suzuki at #1 singles, 6-3, 6-0. In the #2 singles match, de Crinis held off Burt in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. At #5 singles, Bellevue's Wimer defeated Turner 6-2 in the first set and then won a close second set, 6-4. Other winners in singles for the Bulldogs were Mangornkeo at the #3 position, Lowe at #4, and Esther Nguyen at #6.

Willamette will host the College of Idaho on Saturday, Feb. 25. Match time is set for 5 p.m. (PST) at the Salem Tennis and Swim Club.