Caltech Rallies in Singles to Defeat Willamette, 6-3

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

PASADENA, Calif. -- Trailing 2-1 after doubles, the California Institute of Technology rallied for five wins in singles to down Willamette University, 6-3, in women's tennis action on Wednesday, March 25. Willamette recorded wins at #1 and #3 doubles in addition to a victory for Denise Poltavski (Sr., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS) at #1 singles.

Caltech, which is ranked #12 in the West Region of NCAA Division III, improved to 5-6 overall, while Willamette dropped to 1-12.

WU's top doubles team of Poltavski and Mikaila Smith (Fr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) surged out to an 8-3 win over Sophia Chen and Erin Wang form Caltech. The Beavers won #2 doubles, with Vinci Chen and Grace Yao narrowly defeating Emily Guimont (Jr., El Dorado Hills, CA/Folsom HS) and Alicia Sohn (So., Tustin, CA/Arnold O. Beckman HS), 8-6.

The Bearcats gained their second win at #3 doubles, as Ellen Rumley (Fr., Anchorage, AK/East Anchorage HS) and Katie Adams (Fr., McLean, VA/American International School) held off Sarah Antilla and Rachel Morton of Caltech, 8-5.

Poltavski recorded her win at #1 singles 6-3, 6-1 against Chen. The Beavers triumphed from #2 singles through #5 singles, allowing Caltech to claim the team victory.

At #2 singles, Chen downed Smith, 6-2, in the first set before Smith had to retire.

The matches at #5 singles and #6 singles were very close. In the #5 match, Morton defeated Rumley, 7-5, 6-3. At #6, the match went three sets, with Antilla edging past Adams, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

Willamette is set to play its next match on Friday, April 3 against University of Puget Sound at the WU Tennis Courts. Start time for the Northwest Conference match is scheduled for 4 p.m. (PDT).