Whitworth Defeats Willamette, 7-2, as Teams Split Four Three-Set Matches

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

SPOKANE, WASH. -- Whitworth University built a 3-0 lead in doubles and then added wins at four singles positions, including two three-set victories, as the Pirates downed Willamette University, 7-2, at the Scotford Tennis Center on Friday, April 6. Overall, four singles matches reached a third set, with each team claiming two triumphs.

Whitworth improved to 11-4 on the season, 7-2 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats ended the day at 6-7 overall, 4-5 in the NWC.

Willamette recorded its two wins in a duo of three-set matches. At #2 singles, Sabrina Gutierrez (So., Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) edged out Erica Bosman of Whitworth in a third-set tie-breaker, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3). Bosman entered the match ranked #16 in the West Region in singles.

At #3 singles, Denise Poltavski (Fr., Woodland Hills, CA/Camino Real HS) of Willamette won the first set and dropped the second set, before securing the win, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, over Saryn Mooney.

Victories were earned by Whitworth after the first two sets were split at #4 and #5 singles. In the #4 match, Jessi Steele outlasted Willamette's Emily Bee (Sr., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS), 6-1, 3-6, 6-1. At #5 singles, Megan Wingfield defeated Emily Funabiki (So., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS) in a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set. Wingfield won 6-3, 3-6, 10-6.

Alli Marshall won for the Pirates at #1 singles over Shannon Palmer (Sr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS), 6-2, 6-2. The Pirates also logged a win at #6 singles, where Siri Carlson prevailed in a close match-up with Elise Derby (Fr., Oakdale, CA/Oakdale HS) of Willamette, 6-3, 6-4.

Marshall and Bosman combined to win #1 doubles for Whitworth, 8-2, over Palmer and Gutierrez. At #2 doubles, the Whitworth team of Mooney and Steele downed Poltavski and Bee, 8-4. The #3 doubles match also went to the Pirates, as Wingfield and Claire Hemming defeated Funabiki and Derby, 8-1.

Willamette will remain on the road to take on Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., on Saturday, April 7. Match time is slated for 10 a.m. (PDT).