Bearcats Earn Wins in Top Four Singles Matches to Defeat Puget Sound, 6-3

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

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University registered victories at the top four singles positions on Friday, April 3, as the Bearcats defeated University of Puget Sound, 6-3, in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match at the Courthouse Tennis Center. In addition to winning four singles matches, the Bearcats triumphed at #1 and #3 doubles.

The win advanced Willamette's record to 2-12 overall, 1-6 in the NWC. Puget Sound dropped to 3-7 overall, including 1-7 in the NWC.

Denise Poltavski (Sr., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS) won #1 singles for the Bearcats against Elizabeth Choa of UPS, 6-0, 6-2. Poltavski is now 8-4 on the season.

Also earning victories in singles for Willamette were Mikaila Smith (Fr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) at #2, Ellen Rumley (Fr., Anchorage, AK/East Anchorage HS) at #3 and Emily Guimont (Jr., El Dorado Hills, CA/Folsom HS) at #4. Smith downed Farrell Ahlf, 6-3, 6-2, while Rumley defeated Tresa Bild, 7-5, 6-3. Guimont defeated Tamara Runnicles, 6-4, 6-1.

Puget Sound won #5 and #6 singles. At the #5 position, Alison Goo outlasted Katie Adams (Fr., McLean, VA/American International School) in three sets, 6-4, 0-6, 6-4. Claire Fitzgerald prevailed at #6 singles over Ashley Evans (Fr., Canby, OR/Canby HS), 6-2, 6-4.

At #1 doubles, Poltavski and Smith easily moved past Chao and Bild, 8-1. Ahlf and Good won by the same score for UPS at #2 doubles, as they downed Rumley and Guimont. WU took #3 doubles, as Adams and Evans breezed past Fitzgerald and Runnicles, 8-2.

Willamette will play on the road on Saturday, April 4 against George Fox University. Match time is set for 11 a.m. (PDT) in Newberg, Oregon.