Poltavski Falls in Round of 16 at ITA Northwest Regional

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

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- The run of Willamette University's Denise Poltavski (Sr., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS) in the singles bracket at the ITA Northwest Regional ended in the Round of 16 on Saturday, Sept. 27. Jelena Vidovic of Pacific University defeated Poltavksi, 6-1, 6-4, to advance into the quarterfinals.

Mikaila Smith (Fr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) of WU, who won her first round match before losing in the second round, rebounded with three consecutive victories in the singles second round consolation bracket. She began the day with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Emily Bower of Pacific Lutheran University.

Later, Smith downed Katrina Kwong of George Fox University, 6-2, 5-7, 1-0 (10-4), in a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set. The win over Kwong moved Smith into the semifinals of the second round consolation bracket. She outlasted Samantha Lund of PLU, 6-0, 2-6, 1-0 (10-5), in the semifinals.

In the finals, no match was played as Alex Sigouin from Whitman defeated Smith by default.

Three Bearcats lost in the first round of the singles consolation bracket. Alison Schneider of Lewis & Clark defeated Ellen Rumley (Fr., Anchorage, AK/East Anchorage HS), 6-2, 6-1. Adrienne Fox from Lewis & Clark downed Alicia Sohn (So., Tustin, CA/Arnold O. Beckman HS), 6-1, 6-0. Anabelle Burns of Whitworth defeated Ashley Evans (Fr., Canby, OR/Canby HS), 6-2, 6-2.

In the first round of the consolation doubles bracket, Basia Kopecka and Melisa Doveri of Linfield moved past Sohn and Emily Guimont (Jr., El Dorado Hills, CA/Folsom HS) of Willamette, 8-0. Also in consolation doubles action, Jenna Gilbert and Lindsey Brodeck of Whitman defeated Rumley and Evans of WU, 8-1.

The ITA Small College Northwest Regional will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 28. The schedule also includes the semifinals and finals in singles, as well as the finals in doubles.