(WOMEN'S TENNIS) SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University swept the double positions and won five of six single matches, including two decided by 10-point tie-breakers after splitting the first two sets, as the Bearcats downed Whitworth College, 8-1, in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match, Feb. 17 at the Courthouse Tennis Club. Willamette improved to 1-1 on the season and to 1-0 in the NWC. Whitworth opened its season at 0-1, 0-1 in the NWC.
The Bearcats moved out to a 3-0 lead after winning all of the doubles matches. Alaine Anderson (Jr., Santa Ana, CA/Foothills HS) and Tiffany Kam (Jr., Pearl City, HI/Punahou School) led the way with an 8-5 win at #1 doubles over Linh Aven and Katie Troxell. WU's #2 doubles team of Susan Butler (Sr., Boise, ID/Boise HS) and Becca Younger (So., Albuquerque, NM/Sandia Prep) swept past Betsy Johnson and Rachael McCoola, 8-0, while the Bearcats' #3 doubles team of Abby Funabiki (So., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS) and Alyssa Morrison (FR., Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS) edged Taryn Smith and Angela Anegon, 8-5.
Kam won #1 singles in straight sets with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over McCoola. Whitworth picked up its only win of the day at #2 singles, when Aven defeated Butler, 6-0, 6-4. Anderson recorded a win for Willamette at #3 singles, as she outscored Johnson, 6-1, 6-2.
The two closest matches of the afternoon were played at #4 and #5 singles. In the #4 singles match, Willamette's Morrison defeated Smith 6-3 in the first set, but dropped the second set 6-4, before playing strong in the tie-breaker to win 10-3. At #5 singles, Funabiki of Willamette also won the first set 6-3, before losing 6-4 in the second set. Funabiki and Justine Hays of Whitworth played beyond the normal 10-point tie-breaker, with Funabiki gaining a two-point advantage at 13-11 to close out the match.
Willamette already had the overall team victory clinched before the teams decided to play tie-breakers to decide the split sets at #4 and #5 singles. WU also won #6 singles, as Younger downed Stephanie Reardon, 6-0, 6-2.
The Bearcats will complete their day-night doubleheader when they host Southern Oregon University at the Courthouse Tennis Club this evening (Feb.17) at 6:30 p.m. (PST). Willamette also plays at the Courthouse on Sunday, Feb. 18, when the Bearcats will take on NWC rival Whitman College at 10 a.m. (PST).
Singles
#1 - Tiffany Kam (WU) defeated Rachael McCoola (WHTW), 6-2, 6-0
#2 - Linh Aven (WHTW) defeated Susan Butler (WU), 6-0, 6-4
#3 - Alaine Anderson (WU) defeated Betsy Johnson (WHTW), 6-1,6-2
#4 - Alyssa Morrison (WU) defeated Taryn Smith (WHTW), 6-3, 4-6, (10-3)*
#5 - Anna Funabiki (WU) defeated Justine Hays (WHTW), 6-3, 4-6, (13-11)*
#6 - Rebecca Younger (WU) defeated Stephanie Reardon (WHTW), 6-0, 6-2
Doubles
#1 - Kam and Anderson (WU) defeated Aven and Katie Troxell (WHTW), 8-5
#2 - Butler and Younger (WU) defeated Johnson and McCoola (WHTW), 8-0
#3 - Funabiki and Morrison (WU) defeated Smith and Angela Anegon (WHTW), 8-5
* 10-point tie-breaker played instead of third set
Records: Willamette University, 1-1 overall, 1-0 Northwest Conference; Whitworth College, 0-1 overall, 0-1 Northwest Conference
