By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Strong play throughout the lineup allowed George Fox University to defeat Willamette University, 9-0, in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match on Saturday, April 9 at the WU Tennis Courts.

The Bruins won all three doubles matches. GFU earned a pair of 8-0 victories, as Kristen Mock and Andrea Motley prevailed at #2 doubles and the team of Ali Diehl and Catrina Kwong took #3 doubles.

GFU's win at #1 doubles was more challenging, as Sarah Tuemmler and Taylor Barnes held off a spirited rally by Mikaila Smith (So., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) and Alexis Gjurasic (Fr., Olympia, WA/Capital HS). Smith and Gjurasic trailed 7-1 after eight games, but won four games in a row for the Bearcats to pull within 7-5. Tuemmler and Barnes triumphed in the next game to win the pro set.

At #1 singles, Tuemmler was victorious for George Fox against Smith, 6-2, 6-2. In the #3 singles match, Barnes won a6-0 in the first set, before holding off Hannah Andres (Fr., Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS), 6-3 in the second set. At #6 singles, Emily Brink outlasted Rachel Kong (Fr., Hayward, CA/Castro Valley HS) in the first set, 6-3, and then defeated Kong in the second set, 6-1.

Also winning for the Bruins were Ellen Pearson at #2 singles, Ilsa Teppo at #4 singles and Mock at #5 singles.

Willamette will play at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, on Sunday, April 10. Match time is scheduled for 11 a.m. (PDT).