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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Whitworth University women's tennis team, ranked #12 in the West Region of NCAA Division III, defeated Willamette University, 7-2, in a Northwest Conference match on Friday, April 18 at the WU Tennis Courts.

With the victory, Whitworth improved to 12-4 overall, 10-1 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 5-8 on the season, 3-8 in the NWC.

Willamette's top doubles team of Sabrina Gutierrez (Sr., Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) and Denise Poltavski (Jr., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS) won #1 doubles, 8-3, over Taylor Pena and Saryn Mooney. Gutierrez and Poltavski improved to 12-1 on the season, including 10-1 against NWC opponents.

The Pirates prevailed at #2 and #3 doubles. At #2 doubles, Anabelle Burns and Hannah Wallin edged out Alicia Sohn (Fr., Tustin, CA/Arnold O. Beckman HS) and Emily Guimont (Jr., El Dorado Hills, CA/Folsom HS) in a competitive match, 8-6.

Caylee Lamm and KC McConnell of Whitworth won #3 doubles over Nebraska Lucas (Fr., Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) and Taylor Coggeshall (Fr., Sacramento, CA/Rio Americano HS), 8-1. Whitworth led 2-1 as the match entered singles play.

The Pirates received a win from Pena at #1 singles as she outlasted Gutierrez, 6-3, 7-5 in a close match highlighted by quality play. At #2 singles, Poltavski was victorious for Willamette, as she held off Mooney, 6-3, 6-4.

Whitworth triumphed in each of the remaining singles matches to achieve the final 7-2 margin.

The Bearcats will remain at home to take on Whitman College at the Courthouse Tennis Center (1379 Madison St. NE) on Saturday, April 19. Match time is set for 9:30 a.m. (PDT). It will be Senior Day for Willamette, as the Bearcats will honor the team's two seniors, Gutierrez and Olina Cavedoni, prior to the match.