By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- McKenna Turner (So., Junction City, OR/Junction City HS) won a very close match for the Willamette University women's tennis team at #5 singles, but Highline College won the overall competition, 6-3, on Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Salem Tennis and Swim Club. Highline improved to 2-2 on the season. It was an exhibition match for Willamette. The NCAA does not count matches against two-year colleges.

Turner prevailed at #5 singles against Princess Ventura of Highline by winning the first set, 7-5, and taking the second set in a lengthy tie-breaker, 7-6 (13-11). Allison McIntyre (Fy., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) of WU won #6 singles by default when Daniela Maqueda had to default due to an injury.

The Bearcats also gained a win at #1 doubles, as Anika Groener (Fy., Bend, OR/Summit HS) and Richelle Suzuki (Fy., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) downed Mia Rosa and Selah Carlisle of the Thunderbirds, 8-4.

Highline took a 2-1 lead into the singles matches after winning at #2 and #3 doubles. In the #2 match, Celeste Parker and Ventura outscored Camille Gibney (Sr., La Crescenta, CA/Crescenta Valley HS) and Turner, 8-5. The #3 match was decided in a tie-breaker, with Highline's team of Andrea Guiton and Maqueda defeating Ruby Blake (So., La Crosse, WI/Central HS) and Ruby Thompson (So., Bay City, OR/Tillamook HS) of WU, 8-7 (9-7).

The #4 singles match between Gibney and Guiton went three sets. Guiton of HC outlasted Gibney, 6-0, 4-6, 6-4. At #1 singles, Rosa won two competitive sets over Groener, 6-3, 6-4 to claim the match for Highline.

Willamette will return to action on Sunday, Feb. 27 with a non-conference match at Lewis & Clark College. Match time in Portland, Oregon, is scheduled for 9 a.m. (PST).