By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SPOKANE, Wash. -- The Whitworth University Pirates defeated the Willamette University Bearcats, 9-0, on Sunday, Feb. 28, in Northwest Conference women's tennis action at the Scotford Tennis Center. Whitman advanced its record to 1-5 overall, 1-3 in the NWC, while Willamette fell to 0-3 overall, 0-3 in the NWC.

Whitworth built a 3-0 advantage with strong doubles play, as the Pirates prevailed in all three matches by 8-1 scores. Bella Hoyos and Jennifer Adams downed Mikaila Smith (So., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) and Alexis Gjurasic (Fr., Olympia, WA/Capital HS) at the #1 position. Emma Wiley and Anabelle Burns took #2 doubles. Paige Rohrbach and Ashley Winslow prevailed at #3 doubles.

Bella defeated Smith 6-2, 6-1, in the #1 singles match.

The closest battles in singles play, were at the #4 and #6 positions. In #4 singles, Burns of Whitworth moved past Katie Adams (So., McLean, VA/American International School), 6-2, 6-3. At #6 singles, Caitlyn Heredia was victorious for the Pirates against Allie DiPasquale (Fr., Seattle, WA/Seattle Academy) with a slim 6-4 win the first set, followed by an 6-1 win in the second set.

Willamette will play at Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, March 5. Match time in Portland, Oregon, is set for 11 a.m. (PST).