By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Whitworth University defeated Willamette University, 9-0, in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match at the Courthouse Tennis Center on Sunday, March 13. Whitworth improved to 2-7 on the season, 2-5 in the NWC. Willamette dropped to 0-7 overall, 0-7 in the NWC.

The Pirates took an early lead by winning all three doubles matches. Leading the way at #1 doubles were Bella Hoyos and Jennifer Adams who downed Willamette's top team of Mikaila Smith (So., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) and Alexis Gjurasic (Fr., Olympia, WA/Capital HS), 8-1.

Paige Rohrbach and Ashley Winslow of Whitworth took the #2 doubles match 8-2 over Hannah Andres (Fr., Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) and Rachel Kong (Fr., Hayward, CA/Castro Valley HS). KC McConnell and Caitlyn Heredia defeated Katie Adams (So., McLean, VA/American International School) and Noemi Cruz-Cruz (So., Galt, CA/Liberty Ranch HS), 8-1.

In singles, Hoyos won the battle at the #1 position against Smith. Hoyos claimed a 6-0 victory in the first set, but Smith played strong in the second set before falling 6-3. It was the final singles match of thed day to be completed.

Jennifer Adams of Whitworth downed Gjurasic of Willamette at #2 singles, 6-3, 6-1. Rohrback outlasted Katie Adams of Willamette, 6-3, 6-2, in the #4 singles match. Other winners for the Pirates were Emma Jo Wiley at #3 singles, McConnell at #5 singles and Heredia at #6 singles.

The Bearcats will be back in action on Tuesday, March 15 when they will host Southwestern University (Texas). Match time is set for 2 p.m. (PDT) at the WU Tennis Courts. If the weather is bad, the match will be played at the Courthouse Tennis Center (1379 Madison St. NE).