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

SALEM, Ore. -- The nationally-ranked women's tennis team from Whitman College defeated Willamette University, 8-1, at the Courthouse Tennis Center on Saturday, April 11. Whitman upped its record to 13-5 overall, 10-0 in the Northwest Conference.

The Missionaries are ranked #23 in NCAA Division III and are #4 in the West Region in this week's rankings released by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). Willamette fell to 2-14 overall, 1-8 in the NWC.

Denise Poltavski (Sr., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS) provided Willamette's only win as she rallied past Allie Wallin at #1 singles. Poltavski dropped the first set, 6-3, but recovered to win the second set by an identical 6-3 score. She won the match in a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set, as she claimed a 10-1 victory.

Whitman recorded wins from #2 singles through #6 singles, winning each match in straight sets. In doubles, the Missionaries prevailed in all three matches, including an 8-2 win for Wallin and Hanna Greenberg over Poltavski and Mikaila Smith (Fr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) at the #1 position.

Willamette will travel to Forest Grove, Oregon, on Sunday, April 12 to play Pacific University. The doubles matches are slated to begin at 1 p.m. (PDT).