Pacific Earns Slim Win over Willamette, 5-4, in Women's Tennis

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

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Jelena Vidovic of Pacific University earned a win at #1 singles to improve to 14-1 on the season and lead the Boxers to a 5-4 victory over Willamette University in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match on Sunday, April 12. The Boxers upped their record to 6-9 overall, 3-8 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 2-15, 1-9 in the NWC.

Vidovic defeated Denise Poltavski (Sr., Woodland Hills, CA/El Camino Real HS) of Willamette in the top singles match, 6-1, 6-2. She was one of three Boxers who registered wins in singles play after Pacific took a 2-1 lead in doubles.

The Boxers attained wins at #2 and #3 doubles, but WU prevailed in the top doubles match. Poltavski and teammate Mikaila Smith (Fr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) won #1 doubles for the Bearcats by outlasting Vidovic and Mai Kobayashi, 9-7.

In #2 doubles, Sidney Smith and Kanani Kea of Pacific downed Emily Guimont (Jr., El Dorado Hills, CA/Folsom HS) and Ellen Rumley (Fr., Anchorage, AK/East Anchorage HS), 8-1. At #3 doubles, Carlee Rhodaback and Danielle Wicks won for the Boxers over Katie Adams (Fr., McLean, VA/American International School) and Ashley Evans (Fr., Canby, OR/Canby HS), 8-4.

Smith of Willamette downed Smith of Pacific in the #2 singles match, 6-0, 6-1. Also winning in singles for the Bearcats were Guimont at the #4 position and Evans at #6. Gumont defeated Rhodaback, 6-1, 6-3. Evans edged Wicks in a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set. Evans rallied from a set down to sweep the second set and eventually win, 3-6, 6-0, 10-3.

Joining Vidovic with singles wins for the Boxers were Kobayashi at #3 and Kea at #5. Kobayashi was victorious by scores of 6-3 and 6-1 against Rumley. Kea defeated Adams, 6-1, 6-0.

The Bearcats will play at nearby rival Linfield College on Wednesday, April 15 in McMinnville, Oregon. Match time is scheduled for 4 p.m. (PDT).