By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Anika Groener (So., Bend, OR/Summit HS) of Willamette University picked up a straight-set win at #3 singles, but Whitworth University grabbed several victories in competitive matches, as the Pirates downed the Bearcats, 8-1, in Northwest Conference women's tennis action on Friday, April 14 at the Scotford Tennis Center.

Whitworth advanced its record to 8-8 on the season, including 4-4 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 1-10 overall, 2-5 in the NWC.

Groener defeated Kara Nelson in the #3 singles competition, 6-2, 6-1. Groener and Richelle Suzuki (So., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) also played well at #1 doubles, before losing to Gracie Smyley and Natalie Budge, 8-4.

At #2 doubles, Whitworth also grabbed a close win, as Nelson and Meredith Bedford edge past Alexa de Crinis (Fy., Makawao, HI/Seabury Hall School) and Ruby Thompson (Sr., Bay City, OR/Tillamook HS), 8-6. The #3 doubles match was won by Whitworth's team of Elizabeth Hopkins and Olivia Corbett against Ruby Blake (Jr., La Crosse, WI/Central HS) and McKenna Turner (Jr., Junction City, OR/Junction City HS) of Willamette, 8-1.

A challenging match at #1 singles was won by Smyley of Whitworth, as she held off de Crinis in both sets, 6-3, 7-5. Budge prevailed for the Pirates at #2 singles, as she defeated Suzuki in a tie-breaker during the second set for a 6-1, 7-6 (8-6) win. Corbett downed Blake, 6-2, 6-1 at #4 singles.

In the #5 singles match, Bedford defeated Willamette's Paisley Lieske (Sr., Seattle, WA/Vashon Island HS), 6-3, 6-0. Libertad Sarmiento of Whitworth moved past Alicia Sola (Fy., Aumsville, OR/Cascade HS) of the Bearcats, 6-3, 6-3.

Willamette will close out the dual match season by traveling to Newberg, Oregon, on Sunday, April 16 to take on George Fox University. Match time is scheduled for 11 a.m. (PDT).