California Lutheran Edges Bearcats, 5-4

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

THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. -- California Lutheran, ranked #8 in the NCAA Division III West Region, won two of three doubles matches on its way to a 5-4 victory over visiting Willamette University, in women's tennis action at the Poulson Tennis Center on Thursday, March 25.

Carly Mouzes at #4 singles provided California Lutheran with its winning point. Mouzes battled back to defeat Fabi Dieguez (Jr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS/Oregon State Univ.), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, giving the Regals a 5-3 lead with one match remaining.

CLU improved its record to 8-5 on the season. Willamette also ended the day at 8-5.

Willamette's top singles player and top double team were victorious against the Regals. Natalia Agarycheva (Jr., Vancouver, WA/Prairie HS/U. of Northern Colorado) prevailed at #1 singles over Kim Kolibas, 6-1, 6-2. Agarycheva and Shannon Palmer (So., Salem, OR/Sprague HS) outplayed Kolibas and Mouzes at #1 doubles, 8-4.

Agarycheva is ranked #7 in the West Region in singles. She improved to 11-1 on the season. Agarycheva and Palmer are ranked #4 in the West Region in doubles.

The Regals won competitive matches at #2 doubles and #3 doubles to take a 2-1 lead. California Lutheran also won at #2 singles and #3 singles, in addition to the win by Mouzes at the #4 position. At #2 singles, Jordan Leckness, ranked #24 in the West Region, defeated Palmer, 6-2, 6-2.

Willamette won three-set matches at #5 and #6 singles. In the #5 match, Alyssa Morrison (Sr., Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS) defeated Lauren Toohey, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2. Jamie Slonaker (Jr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) won #6 singles against Lacey Gormley, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

The Bearcats will remain in Southern California for matches on Friday, March 26, and Saturday, March 27. On Friday, Willamette will battle Chapman University at 2 p.m. (PDT). On Saturday, the 'Cats will take on Occidental College at 10 a.m. (PDT).

Thursday, March. 25
At Poulson Tennis Center, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

California Lutheran University 6, Willamette University 4

Singles
#1 - Natalia Agarycheva (WU) defeated Kim Kolibas (CLU), 6-1, 6-2
#2 - Jordan Leckness (CLU) defeated Shannon Palmer (WU), 6-2, 6-2
#3 - Holly Beaman (CLU) defeated Katie Huber (WU), 6-4, 7-5
#4 - Carly Mouzes (CLU) defeated Fabi Dieguez (WU), 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
#5 - Alyssa Morrison (WU) defeated Lauren Toohey (CLU), 6-7, 6-2, 6-2
#6 - Jamie Slonaker (WU) defeated Lacey Gormley (CLU), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

Doubles
#1 - Agarycheva and Palmer (WU) defeated Kolibas and Mouzes (CLU), 8-4
#2 - Leckness and Beaman (CLU) defeated Huber and Morrison (WU), 8-6
#3 - Toohey and Gormley (CLU) defeated Dieguez and Slonaker (WU), 8-5

Records:
California Lutheran University is 8-5 overall. Willamette University is 8-5 overall.