By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Alexa de Crinis (So., Makawao, HI/Seabury Hall School) at #2 singles, and Anika Groener (Jr., Bend, OR/Summit HS) at #3 singles, each provided strong singles play, but Willamette University fell to California Lutheran University, 9-0, in women's tennis on Saturday, Feb. 17 at Salem Tennis and Swim Club. Willamette fell to 1-2, while CLU improved to 2-2.

In the #2 singles match, de Crinis lost to Mina Ahmadi of CLU in two close sets. Ahmadi won 6-4, 6-4. At #3 singles, Groener forced Anya Rajan into a super tie-breaker that was played instead of a third set. Rajan won the first set, 6-3. Groener rebounded well and took the second set 6-3. Rajan claimed the super tie-breaker by a 10-6 margin.

At #1 singles, CLU's Fatima Nemi Revilla downed Richelle Suzuki (Jr., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) of Willamette, 6-1, in the first set. Nemi Revilla won by a closer margin of 6-3 in the second set. Other winners in singles for the Regals were Kyle Limpias at #4 singles, Kayla Kling at #5 singles, and Gerda Jucys at #6 singles.

California Lutheran won all three doubles matches. The winners at #1 doubles were Ahmadi and Carmen Bufkin. At #2 doubles, Limpias and Maddy Ford were victorious, and at #3 doubles, Nemi Revilla and Rajan won.

The Bearcats will take on Bellevue College on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. PST. Action will be at the Salem Tennis and Swim Club. It will be an exhibition match for the Bearcats because the NCAA doesn't count results against two-year college teams.