Puget Sound Uses Depth to Defeat Willamette, 6-3

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University won #1 and #2 singles, as well as #1 doubles, but the University of Puget Sound earned wins at the remaining doubles matches and #3 through #6 singles to defeat the Bearcats, 6-3, in Northwest Conference women's tennis action on Friday, Feb. 28. The match was played indoors at the Courthouse Tennis Center.

The Loggers improved their record to 3-0 overall, 2-0 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 1-3 on the season, 0-3 in the NWC.

Sabrina Gutierrez (Sr., Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) and Denise Poltavski (Jr., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS) teamed up to win #1 doubles for Willamette, 8-1, over Puget Sound's team of Logan Thompson and Marissa Friedman.

Puget Sound gained a slim 2-1 lead in the team match standings by earning victories at #2 and #3 doubles.

In the #2 match, Elizabeth Chao and Malia Ford of UPS downed Nebraska Lucas (Fr., Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) and Alicia Sohn (Fr., Tustin, CA/Arnold O. Beckman HS), 8-2. At #3 doubles, Sarah Nielsen and Allison Embernate from UPS outlasted Emily Guimont (Jr., El Dorado Hills, CA/Folsom HS) and Taylor Coggeshall (Fr., Sacramento, CA/Rio Americano HS), 8-5.

After winning at #1 doubles, Gutierrez and Poltavski of Willamette added triumphs at #1 and #2 singles, respectively.

Gutierrez edged out Thompson for a very close win at the #1 position by claiming two tie-breakers. Gutierrez prevailed, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-2). Poltavski cruised to a 6-1 win in the first set at #2 singles, before holding off Gerdsen in the second set, 6-3.

Depth helped Puget Sound secure the overall win, as the Loggers gained victories from Friedman at #3 singles, Chao at #4 singles, Ford at #5 singles and Nielsen at #6 singles. Ford's win at #5 was a battle, as she narrowly defeated Guimont, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).

Willamette will host Pacific Lutheran University in another NWC match on Saturday (March 1) at the Courthouse Tennis Center. The action is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. (PST).