Willamette Falls to Whitworth in NWC Women's Tennis Match
By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Whitworth University defeated Willamette University in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match 9-0 on Friday, April 15 at the WU Tennis Courts. Whitworth advanced its record to 7-7 overall and to 5-2 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 0-8 on the season, 0-7 in the NWC.
Richelle Suzuki (Fy., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) of Willamette played a strong first set against Aleah Kert of Whitworth at the #1 singles position, as Kert grabbed a 6-3 win. Kert took the second set, 6-0.
Other winners for the Pirates in singles were Hannah Plank at #2, Gracie Smyley at #3, Jill Hughes at #4, Nicole Resanovic at #5, and Meredith Bedford at #6. In doubles, the Pirates lost just two games while winning all three matches.
In addition to Suzuki, Willamette's lineup in singles featured Anika Groener (Fy., Bend, OR/Summit HS) at #2, Camille Gibney (Sr., La Crescenta, CA/Crescenta Valley HS) at #3, Ruby Blake (So., La Crosse, WI/Central HS) at #4, McKenna Turner (So., Junction City, OR/Junction City HS) at #5, and Allison McIntyre (Fy., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) at #6.
The Bearcats will host Whitman College on Saturday, April 16. If the weather is good, the match will be played at the WU Tennis Courts at 11 a.m. (PDT). If the weather forces the match indoors it will be held at the Salem Tennis and Swim Club at 1 p.m.