By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Anika Groener (Fy., Bend, OR/Summit HS)and Ruby Thompson (So., Bay City, OR/Tillamook HS) each won a match for Willamette University on the first day of the Willamette Valley Four-Way hosted by Pacific University on Saturday, Sept. 11. The tournament will conclude with the doubles competition on Sunday, Sept. 12.

Groener lost to Arielle Bloom of Lewis & Clark College, 6-3, 6-2, in the first round, but defeated Abigail Bond of George Fox University in the second round, 6-4, 6-3. Thompson won her third round match against Thea Lamas of Lewis & Clark in a pro-set, 8-6. Thompson fell to Bea Rufo of Pacific in the first round, 6-0, 6-0, and lost to Cassandra Harper of Lewis & Clark in the second round, 6-0, 6-0.

Also competing for the Bearcats were McKenna Turner (So., Junction City, OR/Junction City HS) and Richelle Suzuki (Fy., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS). Turner fell to Rita Patel of Pacific, 6-4, 6-0, before losing to Soraya Young-Pen of Lewis & Clark, 6-0, 6-0. Suzuki dropped her opening match to Ari Rader of George Fox, 6-4, 6-1, and lost in the second round to Sydnie Binder of Pacific, 6-0, 6-0.