Willamette Rolls Past George Fox in NWC Match, 7-2

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

SALEM, ORE. -- For the second time this season, Willamette University defeated George Fox University, 7-2 in women's tennis, as the Bearcats rolled past the Bruins on Friday, April 4 at the Courthouse Tennis Club. The Bearcats defeated George Fox by an identical score on Feb. 29 at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center in Beaverton, Ore.

With Friday's win, Willamette improved to 5-10 on the season, including 5-7 in the Northwest Conference. GFU dropped to 2-15 overall, 1-12 in the NWC.

The Bearcats have a solid hold on sixth place in the NWC standings and are one game behind the fifth place team, Pacific Lutheran University (6-6). Willamette is 3 1/2 matches in front of the University of Puget Sound (2-11) with four matches remaining for WU and three left for UPS. The top six teams in the final regular season standings will qualify for the NWC Tournament.

WU senior Tiffany Kam (Pearl City, HI/Punahou School) defeated Heather Orr of Geroge Fox at #1 singles, 6-0, 6-1. Kam and Abby Fuanbiki (Jr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS) were victorious at #2 doubles, 8-4, over the Bruins' team of Orr and Sarah Ashpole.

Alyssa Morrison (So., Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS) of Willamette downed Lindsay Hagler at #2 singles, 6-3, 6-4. Alaine Anderson (Sr., Santa Ana, CA/Foothill HS) claimed a victory for the Bearcats at #3 singles, as she defeated Brittany Ekstrom, 6-3, 6-4.

Anderson teamed with Jamie Slonaker (Fr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) to win #1 doubles for Willamette. Anderson and Slonaker outscored Hagler and Kelsie Howell of GFU, 8-5.

The Bruins registered wins at #3 doubles and #4 singles. Ekstrom and Mollee Robinson won #3 doubles over Samantha Wong (So., Honolulu, HI/Iolani HS) and Caitlyn Hoerr (Fr., Hillsboro, OR/Glencoe HS) of Willamette, 8-2. Robinson was the winner at #4 singles, as she downed Funabiki, 6-0, 6-1.

Willamette is scheduled to play again on Saturday morning (April 5) against Lewis & Clark College. Match time at the Willamette University Tennis Courts is slated for 10 a.m. (PDT). If weather prevents the teams from playing outdoors, the match will begin at 4 p.m. (PDT) at the Courthouse Tennis Club.

Friday, April 4
At Courthouse Tennis Club, Salem, Ore.

Willamette University 7, George Fox University 2

Singles
#1 - Tiffany Kam (WU) defeated Heather Orr (GFU), 6-0, 6-1
#2 - Alyssa Morrison (WU) defeated Lindsay Hagler (GFU), 6-3, 6-4
#3 - Alaine Anderson (WU) defeated Brittany Ekstrom (GFU), 6-3, 6-4
#4 - Mollee Robinson (GFU) defeated Abby Funabiki (WU), 6-0, 6-1
#5 - Jamie Slonaker (WU) defeated Shanna Lesire (GFU), 6-4, 7-5
#6 - Samantha Wong (WU) defeated Courtney Banks (GFU), 6-1, 6-4

Doubles
#1 - Anderson and Slonaker (WU) defeated Hagler and Kelsie Howell (GFU), 8-5
#2 - Kam and Funabiki (WU) defeated Orr and Sarah Ashpole (GFU), 8-4
#3 - Ekstrom and Robinson (GFU) defeated Wong and Caitlyn Hoerr (WU), 8-2

Records: Willamette is 5-10 overall, 5-7 in the NWC; George Fox is 2-15 overall, 1-12 in the NWC.