Puget Sound Rallies Past Willamette, 5-4, in Women's Tennis

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

TACOMA, WASH. -- Willamette University led 2-1 after doubles, but University of Puget Sound rallied for four wins in singles, as the Logers defeated the Bearcats, 5-4, in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match on Sunday, March 8. The Loggers claimed wins at #2, #3, #4 and #5 singles.

Willamette's top player, Denise Poltavski (Sr., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS), continued her successful play at #1 singles and #1 doubles. In singles, she rolled past Elizabeth Chao, 6-0, 6-1.

Mikaila Smith (Fr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) of Willamette missed singles due to illness, but was able to team up with Poltavski in the less time-consuming doubles competition. Poltavski and Smith won #1 doubles, 8-5, over Chao and Tresa Bild.

The Bearcats rearranged their singles lineup with Smith unable to play at the #2 position. Puget Sound faced a similar problem with Malia Ford unable to play in singles or doubles. The Loggers had just five players available for the match, as Willamette won by default at #2 doubles and #6 singles.

Puget Sound took #3 doubles with Farrell Ahlf and Tamara Runnicles defeating Ellen Rumley (Fr., Anchorage, AK/East Anchorage HS) and Katie Adams (Fr., McLean, VA/American International School), 8-2. Even so, the Bearcats owned a 2-1 advantage entering the singles competition.

The Loggers won #2 singles, with Ahl downing Alicia Sohn (So., Tustin, CA/Arnold O. Beckman HS), 6-1, 6-1. At #3 singles, Bild outlasted Emily Guimont (Jr., El Dorado Hills, CA/Folsom HS) in a tight match, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. Runnicles added a win for UPS at #3 singles, as she moved past Rumley, 6-2, 6-1. In the #5 singles match, Ali Goo held off Adams, 6-3, 6-3.

UPS improved to 2-4 on the season and to 1-4 in the NWC. Willamette dropped to 0-7 overall, 0-4 in the NWC. The Bearcats will host Linfield College at the WU Tennis Courts on Saturday, March 14. Match time is set for 11 a.m. (PDT).