Palmer is Chosen First Team All-Northwest Conference

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University women's tennis standout Shannon Palmer (Fr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS) has been named First Team All-Northwest Conference for the 2008-09 season. Palmer was one of eight NWC athletes chosen for the First Team. An additional six athletes were named to the Second Team.

Palmer was 9-8 this spring at #1 singles, as she faced the top players in the NWC. She achieved victories over fellow First Team All-NWC selections Cat Goya of Pacific University and Sallie Katter of Linfield College.

Palmer defeated another First Team pick, Rachel Burns of Whitworth University in the semifinals of the Wilson/ITA Small College Northwest Regional, hosted by Willamette last fall. Palmer lost to Elise Otto of Whitman College in the Wilson/ITA Northwest Regional championship match. Otto also earned First Team All-NWC honors this spring.

Amalia Nilsson of Lewis & Clark College was chosen NWC Player of the Year. Rounding out the First Team All-NWC list were Abby Olbrich of Linfield and Alli Marshall of Whitworth.

Palmer played at the #1 doubles position in all of Willamette's matches and achieved a 7-10 doubles record. She combined with Abby Funabiki (Sr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS/Quinnipiac Univ.) for a key win against Katie Oost and Divneet Kaur of Whitman during the dual match season. Palmer and Funabiki reached the semifinals in doubles at the Wilson/ITA Northwest Regional last fall.

Whitney DeBree of Lewis & Clark received the 2009 NWC Women's Tennis Sportsmanship Award. Head Coach Jo Ann Wagstaff of Whitworth was named the 2009 NWC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year.

Willamette finished the season with an 8-13 overall record, including a 7-9 mark during the NWC regular season schedule. The Bearcats qualified for the NWC Tournament, where they finished in sixth place.