By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer

PORTLAND, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's tennis team competed at the first day of the USTA/ITA Northwest Small College Championships, hosted by Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, Sept. 21.Sabrina Gutierrez (Jr., Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) notched a pair of straight sets victories to earn a trip to the singles round of 16, while Alicia Sohn reached the second round.

Gutierrez, seeded fifth in the opening round of 64, began her day with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Holly Dixon, representing the University of Puget Sound. Gutierrez then defeated George Fox University's Ali Wittrig 6-2, 6-0 to book her spot in the round of 16.

Sohn earned a spot in the second round with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Lindsey Tyson of Pacific Lutheran University, but was unable to topple Whitworth University's Allie Wallin. Wallin, seeded ninth at the event, prevailed 6-1, 6-1.

Taylor Coggeshall and Nebraska Lucas also represented Willamette at the event. Coggeshall dropped a close 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 decision to Linfield College's Lauren Seki, while Lucas fell 6-1, 6-2 to seventh-seeded Kaila Nip of Linfield.

In doubles action, Puget Sound's Malia Ford and Marissa Friedman defeated Gutierrez and Sohn, 8-4. Willamette's other doubles team of Coggeshall and Lucas will compete in their first round match tomorrow.

The Northwest Regional will continue on Sunday, Sept. 22 and Monday, Sept. 23. Winners of the singles and doubles brackets will advance to the USTA/ITA Small College National Championships later this fall.