Willamette Starts NWC Play With 8-1 Victory Over Whitworth

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SALEM - Willamette University swept the double positions and won five of six single matches, including two decided by 10-point tie-breakers after splitting the first two sets, as the Bearcats downed Whitworth College, 8-1, in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match Saturday at the Courthouse Tennis Club.

Willamette improved to 1-1 on the season and to 1-0 in the NWC. Whitworth opened its season at 0-1, 0-1 in the NWC.

The Bearcats moved out to a 3-0 lead after winning all of the doubles matches.

Alaine Anderson and Tiffany Kam led the way with an 8-5 win at #1 doubles over Linh Aven and Katie Troxell.

WU's #2 doubles team of Susan Butler and Becca Younger swept past Betsy Johnson and Rachael McCoola, 8-0, while the Bearcats' #3 doubles team of Abby Funabiki and Alyssa Morrison edged Taryn Smith and Angela Anegon, 8-5.

Kam won #1 singles in straight sets with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over McCoola.

Whitworth picked up its only win of the day at #2 singles, when Aven defeated Butler, 6-0, 6-4.

Anderson recorded a win for Willamette at #3 singles, as she outscored Johnson, 6-1, 6-2.

The two closest matches of the afternoon were played at #4 and #5 singles.

In the #4 singles match, Willamette's Morrison defeated Smith 6-3 in the first set, but dropped the second set 6-4, before playing strong in the tie-breaker to win 10-3.

At #5 singles, Funabiki of Willamette also won the first set 6-3, before losing 6-4 in the second set.

Funabiki and Justine Hays of Whitworth played beyond the normal 10-point tie-breaker, with Funabiki gaining a two-point advantage at 13-11 to close out the match.

Willamette already had the overall team victory clinched before the teams decided to play tie-breakers to decide the split sets at #4 and #5 singles.

WU also won #6 singles, as Younger downed Stephanie Reardon, 6-0, 6-2.

The Bearcats will complete their day-night doubleheader when they host Southern Oregon University at the Courthouse Tennis Club this evening at 6:30 PM.

Willamette also plays at the Courthouse on Sunday, Feb. 18th, when the Bearcats will take on NWC rival Whitman College at 10:00 AM.

Willamette University 8, Whitworth College 1

Singles

#1 - Tiffany Kam (WU) defeated Rachael McCoola (WHTW), 6-2, 6-0

#2 - Linh Aven (WHTW) defeated Susan Butler (WU), 6-0, 6-4

#3 - Alaine Anderson (WU) defeated Betsy Johnson (WHTW), 6-1,6-2

#4 - Alyssa Morrison (WU) defeated Taryn Smith (WHTW), 6-3, 4-6, (10-3)*

#5 - Anna Funabiki (WU) defeated Justine Hays (WHTW), 6-3, 4-6, (13-11)*

#6 - Rebecca Younger (WU) defeated Stephanie Reardon (WHTW), 6-0, 6-2

Doubles

#1 - Kam and Anderson (WU) defeated Aven and Katie Troxell (WHTW), 8-5

#2 - Butler and Younger (WU) defeated Johnson and McCoola (WHTW), 8-0

#3 - Funabiki and Morrison (WU) defeated Smith and Angela Anegon (WHTW), 8-5

* 10-point tie-breaker played instead of third set

Records: Willamette University, 1-1 overall, 1-0 Northwest Conference; Whitworth College, 0-1 overall, 0-1 Northwest Conference

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