Whitman Defeats Bearcats, 6-3, in Northwest Conference Match

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Whitman College won the top four singles matches and claimed two of three doubles matches, as the Missionaries defeated Willamette University, 6-3, in Northwest Conference action on Friday, March 28. Whitman upped its overall record to 10-7, while improving to 8-3 in the NWC. Willamette dropped to 4-9 overall, 4-6 in the conference.

At #1 doubles, Whitman's team of Elise Otto and Margo Lentz downed Alaine Anderson (Sr., Santa Ana, CA/Foothill HS) and Jamie Slonaker (Fr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) of WU, 8-2. Willamette was victorious at #2 doubles, as Tiffany Kam (Sr., Pearl City, HI/Punahou School) and Abby Funabiki (Jr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS) defeated Hadley DeBree and Alex Robinson, 8-1.

Whitman prevailed at #3 doubles. Divneet Kaur and Katie Oost won the match over Alyssa Morrison (So., Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS) and Samantha Wong (Fr., Honolulu, HI/Iolani HS), 8-1.

In the #1 singles match, Otto edged Kam, 6-4, in the first set, then pulled away for a 6-1 win in the second set, to record a win for Whitman. The Missionaries also triumphed at #2, #3 and #4 singles, but Slonaker won for Willamette at #5 singles in a super tie-breaker over Robinson, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 10-7.

WU also registered a win at #6 singles. Wong slipped past Jacquie Frank in the first set, 7-5, before shutting out Frank in the second set, 6-0.

Willamette will play at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., on Saturday, March 29 to complete a three-match road trip. Match time against the Pirates is scheduled for 9 a.m. (PDT).

Friday, March 28
At Bratton Tennis Center, Walla Walla, Wash.

Singles
#1 - Elise Otto (WC) defeated Tiffany Kam (WU), 6-4, 6-1
#2 - Hadley DeBree (WC) defeated Alyssa Morrison (WU), 6-0, 6-2
#3 - Divneet Kaur (WC) defeated Alaine Anderson (WU), 6-1, 6-4
#4 - Katie Oost (WC) defeated Abby Funabiki (WU), 6-1, 6-0
#5 - Jamie Slonaker (WU) defeated Alex Robinson (WC), 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 10-7*
#6 - Samantha Wong (WU) defeated Jacquie Frank (WC), 7-5, 6-0

Doubles
#1 - Otto and Margo Lentz (WC) defeated Anderson and Slonaker (WU), 8-2
#2 - Kam and Funabiki (WU) defeated DeBree and Robinson (WC), 8-1
#3 - Kaur and Oost (WC) defeated Morrison and Wong (WU), 8-1

* Tie-breaker played instead of third set

Records: Whitman is 10-7 overall, 8-3 in the NWC; Willamette is 4-9 overall, 4-6 in the NWC.