Caltech Downs Bearcats, 7-2, in California

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

PASADENA, CALIF. -- Caltech won all three doubles matches and added four wins in singles, as the Beavers defeated visiting Willamette University, 7-2, in women's tennis on Sunday, March 24 at the Braun Tennis Courts. The match opened Spring Break for the Bearcats, who will remain in the Los Angeles area to take on University of La Verne on March 25 and Whittier College on March 26.

With the win, Caltech evened its overall record at 4-4. Willamette fell to 1-10 on the season.

Willamette recorded its two wins of the match in singles. Stephanie Matsuura (Fr., Hilo, HI/Waiakea HS) won at #4 singles and Yasmine Genena (Fr., Portland, OR/Lake Oswego HS) claimed victory at #6 singles.

Matsuura and Genena each took the first set, but lost the second set before winning a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set. Matsuura recovered from her loss in the second set to defeat Michelle Lee, 6-3, 0-6, 1-0 (10-8). Genena outlasted Michelle Tang, 6-2, 3-6, 1-0 (10-6).

Caltech surged out to a 3-0 lead by winning all of the doubles matches. At #1 doubles, the Caltech team of Monica Li and Rebeka Kitto achieved an 8-1 victory over Sabrina Gutierrez (Jr., Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) and Denise Poltavski (So., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS), 8-1.

In the #2 match, Jessica Yeung and Lee outscored WU's team of Matsuura and Rachel Heringer, 8-6. At #3 doubles, Stephanie Kwan and Valerie Pietrasz defeated Mandy Carlson (Fr., Boise, ID/Bishop Kelly HS) and Genena, 8-0.

Caltech added straight-set victories at #1, #2, #3 and #5 singles. Monica Li won the top singles match, as she defeated Gutierrez, 6-2, 6-1.