Bearcats Suffer Tough Loss to Boxers

SALEM, OR — The final score may read 7-0 in favor of the visiting Pacific University Boxers, but the scoreboard doesn't tell the full story of the grit and determination displayed by the Willamette University Women's Tennis team on their home courts this weekend.

In a match defined by high-intensity tiebreakers and marathon sets, the Bearcats proved they could go toe-to-toe with one of the region's toughest competitors, even as the ultimate team result tipped toward the Boxers.

Doubles Spark

The afternoon began with a surge of momentum for the Bearcats at the No. 2 doubles position. The duo of Eva Lief and Sofia Spencer put on a clinical performance, dismantling Pacific's Mia Yamaguchi and Brooke Curtis in a 6-3 victory. Their chemistry at the net and aggressive play gave Willamette fans plenty to cheer for early. However, the Boxers managed to secure the doubles point by taking the No. 1 and No. 3 matches with identical 6-2 scores.

Singles Marathons

As the match moved into singles play, the Bearcats dug in for several grueling battles. At the No. 4 spot, Eva Lief followed up her doubles win with a first-set performance for the ages. She pushed Brooke Curtis to a marathon tiebreaker that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats, eventually falling 11-9 in the breaker before dropping the second set 6-2.

The longest match of the day occurred at the No. 5 flight, where Alicia Sola displayed incredible resilience. After dropping a tight first set 7-5, Sola stormed back to dominate the second set 6-2, forcing a decider. In a back-and-forth final frame, Sola narrowly missed the upset, falling 7-5 in the third.

At the top of the lineup, Alexa de Crinis also showed significant improvement throughout her match. After a 6-2 loss in the first set to Chloe Takahashi, de Crinis found her rhythm in the second, pushing the Boxer standout to a 7-5 finish. Meanwhile, at No. 6, Katie Briggs kept things competitive in a 6-4, 6-4 loss that saw long rallies and tactical play from both sides.

Looking Ahead

While the 7-0 result wasn't what the Bearcats were looking for, the individual performances—particularly the win at No. 2 doubles and the three-set thriller at No. 5 singles—provide a solid foundation for the team to build on as they continue their season.

The Bearcats will look to carry that fighting spirit into their next conference matchup as they continue to defend their home court in Salem.