By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Assistant

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's tennis team won all four singles matches and one of two doubles matches, as the Bearcats picked up a Northwest Conference victory over the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, March 11 at the Salem Tennis and Swim Club. Willamette won the overall contest 8-1, after the Loggers, with only four players available, had to forfeit the other three matches.

The Bearcats improved to 1-5 on the season, 1-2 in the NWC. Puget Sound fell to 0-7 overall, 0-4 in NWC play. 

Willamette's sweep of the singles matches included two impressive wins on super tie-breakers. At #1 singles, Alexa de Crinis (Fy., Makawao, HI/Seabury Hall School) rallied from a first set loss for a 1-6, 6-2, 10-8 victory over Paige Shinall of UPS. In the #4 singles match, Paisley Lieske (Sr., Seattle, WA/Vashon Island HS) made a similar comeback, defeating Annie Vanderberg 1-6, 6-3, 10-6.

The Bearcats also added wins at #2 and #3 singles. Richelle Suzuki (So., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) won the #2 singles match against Marissa Perez, 6-4, 6-1. At #3 singles, Anika Groener (So., Bend, OR/Summit HS) prevailed over Hyla Chatham, 6-4, 6-3.

Willamette and UPS split the two played doubles matches, with Ruby Thompson (Sr., Bay City, OR/Tillamook HS) and de Crinis picking up an 8-5 victory against Chatham and Vanderberg at the #2 position. At #1 doubles, Shirall and Perez earned the Loggers' lone point of the day with an 8-3 win over Suzuki and Groener.

The Bearcats' next match is set for Wednesday, March 15 against East Texas Baptist University. Match time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (PDT).