By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Two players on the Willamette University women's tennis team have been chosen for the 2022-23 NCAA Division III Academic All-District Women's Tennis Team, as determined by the College Sports Communicators (CSC, formerly CoSIDA). Willamette's Academic All-District selections were Richelle Suzuki (So., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) and Ruby Thompson (Sr., Bay City, OR/Tillamook HS).

All players named Academic All-District are eligible to be chosen for the College Sports Communicators NCAA Division III Academic All-America Team. Players nominated for the CSC All-District Team were starters or key reserves with cumulative grade point averages of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Each nominated student-athlete was at their current college or university for at least one academic year.

The Willamette women's tennis team was led by Director of Tennis Tyler Linscott in his first season with the Bearcats. Willamette concluded the 2022-23 season with a 1-11 overall record and a 2-6 record in the NWC.

NCAA Division III Academic All-District

Richelle Suzuki (So.) competed in all 12 dual matches in both singles and doubles this season. She played mostly #2 singles, but also played two matches at #1 singles. She played all of her doubles matches at #1 doubles.

In two seasons with the Bearcats, Suzuki has played in 23 singles matches and 23 doubles matches during Willamette's dual meets. All 18 of her singles matches have been at #2 singles with five matches at #1 singles. She has played all 23 doubles matches at the #1 position.

Suzuki is double majoring in Psychology and Japanese Studies. She held a 3.78 cumulative GPA through the 2022 fall semester.

Ruby Thompson (Sr.) saw action in five singles matches and 11 doubles matches during the Bearcats' 12 dual meets this season. In singles, she represented Willamette at the #4 position twice, while playing #5 singles twice and #6 singles once. All of her doubles matches were at the #2 position, where she finished 4-7.

During three years at Willamette, Thompson played in 16 singles matches and 27 doubles matches. Prior to advancing to #2 doubles this season, she played #3 doubles in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Thompson achieved a 3.70 cumulative GPA through the fall semester. She is majoring in International Studies.