Smith is Chosen for Second Team All-Northwest Conference Recognition

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University women's tennis player Mikaila Smith (So., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) has been selected Second Team All-Northwest Conference for the 2015-16 season in voting by the NWC head coaches. Smith played #1 singles and #1 doubles throughout the season for the Bearcats.

Eight players were chosen for First Team All-NWC honors and eight players were named Second Team All-NWC. Summer Garrison from Lewis & Clark College was named NWC Women's Tennis Player of the Year. Head Coach Patrick Dreves of L&C was selected as the NWC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year.

"It's an achievement for Mikaila to be recognized by the NWC coaches," Willamette Head Coach Becky Roberts said. "Playing the #1 position every match is very demanding. Mikaila's tennis background allowed her to be competitive every weekend."

During the fall season, Smith reached the Round of 16 in singles at the USTA/ITA Northwest Regional Women's Tennis Championships. She also went to the Round of 16 in doubles with teammate Alexis Gjurasic (Fr., Olympia, WA/Capital HS).

Smith and Gjurasic picked up a pair of road wins in doubles over Lewis Clark State College and College of Idaho on consecutive days this spring. Smith recorded back-to-back wins in singles during Willamette's NWC road matches at University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University on April 2 and April 3.