By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

ABILENE, Texas -- Anika Groener (Sr., Bend, OR/Summit HS), Alexa de Crinis (So., Makawao, HI/Seabury Hall School), and Eva Lief (Fy., Anchorage, AK/West Anchorage HS) of Willamette University each won a singles match against McMurry University on Wednesday, March 27. The War Hawks, however, prevailed 6-3 overall by taking all three doubles matches, including a close victory at #1 doubles. The team win elevated McMurry to 6-8 on the season, while Willamette fell to 3-8.

McMurry's top doubles team of Bridgette Fly and Jenna Vincent outlasted WU's #1 duo of de Crinis and Ruby Thompson (Grad., Bay City, OR/Tillamook HS), 8-6. At #2 doubles, the War Hawks received a win from Karitza Bencomo and Kaylee Connally, who defeated Richelle Suzuki (Jr., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) and Lief, 8-3. In the #3 doubles match, McKenzie Carroll and K'Linda Mason of McMurry downed Groener and Alicia Sola (Fy., Aumsville, OR/Cascade HS) of WU, 8-3.

Willamette threatened to rally in singles, as the Bearcats recorded wins at the #1, #3, and #4 positions. In #1 singles, de Crinis rolled past Fly, 6-2, 6-1. At #3 singles, Groener won for Willamette against Bencomi, 6-2, 6-3. Lief prevailed in the #4 singles match for the Bearcats, as she held off Carroll in a super tie-breaker instead of a third set, 6-1, 3-6, 10-8 .

The War Hawks clinched the overall victory with wins at #2, #5, and #6 singles. Vincent edged out Suzuki in the first set at #2 singles, 6-4, and then won the second set 6-1. At #5 singles, Connally defeated Thompson, 6-3, 6-3. At #6 singles, Mason downed Sola, 6-1, 6-1.

On Thursday, March 28, the Bearcats will conclude their trip to Texas by playing Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Match time is scheduled for 12 p.m. CDT / 10 a.m. PDT.