By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University swept to victory in five of six singles matches against Lewis & Clark College, as the Bearcats rallied for a 6-3 victory over the Pioneers in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match on Friday, March 7.

Willamette improved to 2-4 on the year, 1-4 in NWC play. Lewis & Clark dropped to 0-6 overall, 0-5 in the NWC.

Sabrina Gutierrez(Sr., Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) and Denise Poltavski(Jr., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS) starred for the Bearcats at #1 and #2 singles, respectively. Gutierrez earned a 6-1, 6-4 win over L&C's Claudia Lew, while Poltavski snatched a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Olivia Sweetman.

Gutierrez improved her record to 4-2 on the year. Poltavski, who has won four singles matches in a row, is 5-1 this season.

At #3 singles, Nebraska Lucas(Fr., Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) defeated Makena McCluskey 7-5, 6-2. Meanwhile, at #4, Alicia Sohn(Fr., Tustin, CA/Arnold O. Beckman HS) got the toughest win of the day, taking a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 decision over Esa Grigsby.

Taylor Coggeshall(Fr., Sacramento, CA/Rio Americano HS) was also victorious, beating Paloma Vizcaino 7-5, 6-2 at the #6 spot.

The Bearcats needed -- and got -- their outstanding performance in the singles rounds after the Pioneers took a 2-1 lead out of doubles play. Willamette's lone doubles point came from Gutierrez and Poltavski, who teamed to defeat Lew and Grigsby at the #1 position.

Having played five consecutive NWC opponents over the last several weeks, the Bearcats will step out of conference play for a match against College of Idaho on Saturday, March 8, at the Courthouse Tennis Center(1379 Madison St. NE). The match is set to begin at 9 a.m.