Bearcats Defeat Bellevue 9-0 in Women's Tennis Exhibition Match

Richelle Suzuki follows through on a shot.
Richelle Suzuki (Jr., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS)

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's tennis team rolled to a 9-0 victory over Bellevue College (Wash.) in an exhibition match at the Salem Tennis and Swim Club on Sunday, Feb. 18. Willamette allowed no more than two wins in any set. Bellevue entered just five players in the match and had to forfeit at #3 doubles and #6 singles.

It was an exhibition match because the NCAA does not count results against two-year colleges. Willamette remained 1-2 on the season.

Alexa de Crinis (So., Makawao, HI/Seabury Hall School) topped Willamette's lineup at #1 singles, where she defeated Shanna Chua of the Bulldogs, 6-0, 6-1. Richelle Suzuki (Jr., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) added a 6-1, 6-2 win at #2 singles over Emma Wetzel, 6-1, 6-2. At #3 singles, Anika Groener (Jr., Bend, OR/Summit HS) downed Sadie Wilson, 6-1, 6-0.

Eva Lief (Fy., Anchorage, AK/West Anchorage HS) won for the Bearcats at #4 singles, as she moved past Ayana Imanbaeva of BC, 6-2, 6-1. Alicia Sola (Fy., Aumsville, OR/Cascade HS) also recorded a 6-2, 6-1 win for the Bearcats, as she defeated Malaika Kahn at #5 singles.

In doubles, WU's #1 team of Suzuki and Groener beat Chua and Wetzel, 8-1. At #2 doubles, de Crinis and Lief swept Wilson and Imanbaeva, 8-0.

The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, Feb. 23 with a non-conference match against the College of Idaho. Match time is scheduled for 5 p.m. PST.