Poltavski Falls to Lawless in Semifinals of Northwest Regional

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

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- A tremendous run by Denise Poltavski (So., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS) of Willamette University through the singles bracket at the USTA/ITA Northwest Small College Championships ended in the semifinals on Monday, Sept. 24 when Morgan Lawless from Whitman College defeated Poltavski, 6-2, 7-5, to advance to the singles final.

In the other semifinal match, Courtney Lawless of Whitman rolled past Olivia Cornell of Lewis & Clark College, 6-0, 6-1.

Courtney Lawless, seeded #2, defeated Morgan Lawless, seeded #5, 6-0, 6-1, in the singles final.

Poltavski, seeded #7, picked up four victories on her way to the semifinals. She won all four of those matches in straight sets, and lost a combined total of only 10 games in the eight sets.

In the doubles final, Courtney Lawless and Alyssa Roberg of Whitman defeated Jenna Dobrin and Morgan Lawless of Whitman, 6-1, 6-2. The singles and doubles champions advance to the USTA/ITA Small College National Championships later this fall.