Lewis & Clark Edges Bearcats, 6-3, with Two Close Wins

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Lewis & Clark won #2 doubles in a tie-breaker, and later won #6 singles in a super tie-breaker, to gain the edge in a 6-3 win over Willamette University in a Northwest Conference match on Sunday, March 1 at the L&C Bubble. The Pioneers improved to 3-3 overall, 3-3 in the NWC.

Willamette, playing without #1 singles and #1 doubles player Shannon Palmer (Fr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS) for the fourth match in a row due to injury, fell to 1-6 overall. The 'Cats are 1-5 in the NWC.

The win at #2 doubles gave L&C an early 2-1 advantage. Clio Beatty and Alix Dixon recorded the victory for the Pioneers, downing Samantha Wong (Jr., Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) and Kristen Dedijer-Small (Fr., Dallas, OR/Oaks Christian HS/Chemeketa CC), 9-8 (8-6).

Lewis & Clark also claimed a close win in singles when Mika Yokoyama defeated Emily Bee (Fr., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS), 2-6, 7-5, 10-7 in a super tie-breaker at #6 singles after splitting the first two sets.

Willamette won a couple of tight matches as well. Abby Funabiki (Sr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS/Quinnipiac College) rallied to win #2 singles over Whitney DeBree in three sets, with two sets decided by tie-breakers. Funabiki prevailed, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6, (7-0).

Wong triumphed for the 'Cats at #4 singles in three sets. She defeated Beatty, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.

L&C's top doubles team of Amalia Nilsson and DeBree was victorious over Funabiki and Fabi Dieguez (Fr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS/Oregon State Univ.), 8-3. Willamette won the #3 doubles match, as Alyssa Morrison (Jr., Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS) and Annika Moffett (Fr., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) downed Paige Earhart and Jill Coleman, 8-5.

Nilsson won the #1 singles match for Lewis & Clark. She defeated Morrison, 6-0, 6-2.

The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, March 6 at Pacific Lutheran University. Match time is scheduled for 2 p.m. (PST).

Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009
At L&C Bubble, Portland, Ore.

Singles
#1 - Amalia Nilsson (L&C) defeated Alyssa Morrison (WU), 6-0, 6-2
#2 - Abby Funabiki (WU) defeated Whitney DeBree (L&C), 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-0)
#3 - Paige Earhart (L&C) defeated Fabi Dieguez (WU), 6-4, 6-4
#4 - Samantha Wong (WU) defeated Clio Beatty (L&C), 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
#5 - Jill Coleman (L&C) defeated Annika Moffett (WU), 6-3, 6-1
#6 - Mika Yokoyama (L&C) defeated Emily Bee (WU), 2-6, 7-5, 10-7*

Doubles
#1 - Nilsson and DeBree (L&C) defeated Funabiki and Dieguez (WU), 8-3
#2 - Beatty and Alix Dixon (L&C) defeated Wong and Kristen Dedijer-Small (WU), 9-8 (8-6)
#3 - Morrison and Moffett (WU) defeated Earhart and Coleman (L&C), 8-5

* Tie-breaker played instead of a third set

Records:
Lewis & Clark College is 3-3 overall, 3-3 in the NWC. Willamette University is 1-6 overall, 1-5 in the NWC.