Bearcats Open Season at First Day of Willamette Valley Three-Way in McMinnville

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's tennis team opened the fall season on Saturday, Sept. 9 by competing in the first day of the Willmette Valley Three Way, hosted by Linfield College. The Bearcats played a total of nine singles matches against Linfield and played five doubles matches against George Fox. No team scores were recorded.

Linfield swept the singles matches, but it was a great opportunity for the five freshmen on the Willamette team to play against outside competition for the first time at the collegiate level. Four returning Bearcats also participated. In addition, it was the first event in which the Bearcats were led by new Head Coach Bryce Parmelly.

Ella Riddle of Linfield defeated Mikaila Smith (Sr., Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais HS) of Willamette, 6-1, 6-1. Marisa Doveri downed Siena Ginsburg (Fr., Bend, OR/Summit HS), 6-2, 6-0. Basia Kopecka of LC prevailed against Hannah Andres (Jr., Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS), 6-3, 6-0.

Riley Clayeux moved past Robin Pashek (Fr., The Dalles, OR/The Dalles-Wahtonka HS), 6-1, 6-2.  Michelle Uyeda defeated Sarah Dean (Fr., Boise, ID/Timberline HS) and Haley Fujimora downed Rachel Kong (Jr., Hayward, CA/Castro Valley HS) with each Linfield player winning 6-0, 6-0.

Sarah Sweet of Linfield won the first set 6-2 against Alex Schwartz (Fr., Ontario, OR/Ontario HS) and then took the second set 6-0. Kelsey Bartlett prevailed versus Sylvia Marr (Fr., Grants Pass, OR/Hidden Valley HS), 6-2, 6-0. Jesse Vezo moved past Noemi Cruz-Cruz (Sr., Galt, CA/Liberty Ranch HS), 6-0, 6-0.

In doubles, George Fox was victorious in all five matches. Kristen Mock and Catrina Kwong led the way for GFU by defeating Smtih and Ginsburg, 8-1.

The closest match was when Andrea Motley and Lydia Pia of George Fox took on Andres and Pashek form Willamette. Motley and Pia held off Andres and Pashek, 8-6.

Two matches were decided by 8-1 scores, as Jillian Studer and Lily Elmer downed Kong and Mina Mizutani (So., Los Alamitos, CA/Los Alamitos HS), and Emily Brink and Taylor Morris combined to defeat DiPasquale and Cruz-Cruz. The Bruins' team of Alyssa Byde and Danielle Brown outscored Schwartz and Marr of Willamette, 8-3.

The Willamette Valley Three-Way will continue on Sunday, Sept. 10. The Bearcats will take on George Fox in singles play and will meet Linfield in doubles competition.