By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University won the top three singles matches on its way to a 6-3 victory over Lewis & Clark College on Friday, Feb. 10 in the season opener for both teams. WU is now 1-0 overall, while the Pioneers fell to 0-1 on the season.

WU senior Shannon Palmer (Salem, OR/Sprague HS) led the Bearcats with a 6-3, 6-3 win at #1 singles over Gillian Lowe. Palmer also helped the Bearcats gain a victory at #1 doubles, as she combined with Sabrina Gutierrez (So., Newbury Park, OR/Newbury Park HS) to hold off Lowe and Jill Coleman, 8-5.

Gutierrez at #2 singles and Denise Poltavski (Fr., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS) at #3 singles helped the Bearcats complete their 1-2-3 sweep in singles. Gutierrez defeated Lisa Osepyan of L&C in three sets, winning 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3. Poltavski edged out Coleman in consecutive sets, 6-4, 6-4.

Willamette also achieved a victory at #5 singles, where Katie Huber (Jr., St. Peter, MN/St. Peter HS) rolled past Makena McCluskey, 6-1, 6-2.

L&C won #4 and #6 singles. Olivia Sweetman claimed the win at the #4 position with a 6-4, 6-2 score against Emily Bee (Sr., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS). At #6 singles, Elisa Alway downed Emily Funabiki (So., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS), 6-4, 6-2.

The Bearcats opened the competition by winning two of the three doubles matches. Palmer and Gutierrez led the way with their triumph at #1 singles, while Poltavski and Elise Derby (Fr., Oakdale, CA/Oakdale HS) won a close match at #3 doubles over McCluskey and Justine Minette, 8-6.

Lewis & Clark prevailed at #2 doubles, as Osepyan and Sweetman outscored Bee and Huber, 8-6.

Willamette will return to action on Sunday, Feb. 19 with the home opener against the University of La Verne (Calif.). The match will start at 9 a.m. (PST) and will be played indoors at the Courthouse Tennis Center (1379 Madison St., NE) in Salem, Ore.