Groener Registers Third Straight Win at #3 Singles in Match at George Fox
By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
NEWBERG, Ore. -- Anika Groener (So., Bend, OR/Summit HS) of Willamette University won her third match in a row at #3 singles on Saturday, April 16, as she claimed a straight-set victory over Ellie Mangan of George Fox University. The Bruins won the overall women's tennis match, 8-1, to improve their record to 9-8 overall, 6-2 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette concluded its season at 1-11 with a 2-6 mark in the NWC.
Groener prevailed in the first set with Mangan 6-2, before battling into a tie-breaker in the second set. Groener won the set 7-6 after taking the tie-breaker 9-7.
In addition to playing a tie-breaker in singles, Groener and doubles partner Richelle Suzuki (So., Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) competed in a tie-breaker at #1 doubles. Cassey Hitch and Olivia Morris edged out Groener and Suzuki 8-7 by winning the tie-breaker 7-3. Also winning for the Bruins in doubles were Arianna Rader and Kalli Wiker at the #2 position, along with Mangan and Brenna VanderYacht at the #3 position.
Suzuki played a strong match against Morris at #2 singles. In the first set Suzuki was narrowly defeated by a 6-4 margin. Morris won the second set, 6-2. Other winners for GFU in singles were Wiker at #1, Emily McDonald at #4, VanderYacht at #5, and Stephanie Ramirez Barreto at #6.