By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Mikaila Smith (Sr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) of Willamette University has been chosen Second Team All-Northwest Conference in women's tennis for the third year in a row. Overall, a total of 16 players were selected for the 2018 All-NWC Women's Tennis Team, with eight athletes on the First Team and eight athletes on the Second Team.
"I'm happy to see that Mikaila was recognized as an All-Conference selection. It is well deserved," said Willamette Head Coach Bryce Parmelly. "Playing at the top spot in both singles and doubles is no easy task. Mikaila did so brilliantly. She had a strong record in doubles this year and has some amazing matches at #1 singles. She had a huge impact on the culture of the team and is going to be sorely missed."
Ella Riddle from Linfield College was named NWC Women's Tennis Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and was a First Team All-NWC selection for the fourth time. Michelle Uyeda of Linfield was voted as the NWC Women's Tennis Freshman of the Year. Linfield co-head coaches Lisa Macy-Baker and Carl Swanson were named NWC Women's Tennis Coaches of the Year for the second season in a row.
Second Team All-Northwest Conference
Mikaila Smith (Sr.) also received Second Team All-NWC recognition in 2015-16 and 2016-17. This year, Smith and teammate Robin Pashek (Fr., The Dalles, OR/The Dalles-Wahtonka HS) went 8-9 at #1 doubles, including five wins against NWC opponents in conference or non-conference matches. In five of their nine losses, Smith and Pashek won at least five games.
In singles, Smith earned a win at the #1 position in an NWC match against Whitworth University and picked up a win over Puget Sound at #1 singles in non-conference play. She also recorded non-conference victories at #1 singles against College of Idaho, Hope International University (Calif.) and Whittier College.
Her leadership abilities helped the Bearcats improve from 1-14 in dual matches in 2016-17 to 8-9 in dual matches this season. The eight wins were the most by the Bearcats since going 10-7 in 2010-11.
