Women Polish Off Tennis Sweep of Bruins

News Release Date:
Saturday, March 27

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- The Whitman College women completed a tennis doubleheader sweep of visiting George Fox with an 8-1 decision Saturday afternoon on the campus outdoor courts.

Whitman upped its Northwest Conference record to 9-2 (11-6 overall), moving into a second-place tie with Linfield in the NWC standings.

The Missionaries play at Linfield next Saturday, hoping to avenge a 5-4 loss to the Wildcats earlier this season.

George Fox, which had just five players on hand Saturday, saw its record fall to 0-13 overall and 0-12 in conference.

Hadley DeBree

After being blanked 9-0 in Saturday morning's first match, George Fox avoided a second shutout in the afternoon when sophomore Liliya Abildayeva outpointed first-year Missionary Dena Wessel 6-3, 6-1 at No. 4 singles. 

The Bruins also made strong bids for team points at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, but a pair of Whitman seniors turned back those challenges.

After losing her first set at No. 1, Hadley DeBree rallied for a 3-6, 6-3, 10-4 victory over Molly Beaumont.

Divneet Kaur jumped in front 5-2 in her first set at No. 2 and then held off Mollee Robinson for a 6-4, 6-4 win.

Two Whitman sophomore also notched victories in singles. Emily Rolston outscored Cara Griffith 6-0, 6-2 at No. 3 and Charlotte Scott blanked Shawna Buck 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5.

Whitman dropped just two games in taking the two matches in doubles.

Junior Elise Otto teamed with first-year Missionary Alyssa Roberg for an 8-2 victory at No. 1 doubles.

Rolston and Kate Kunkel-Patterson, also a first-year player, won 8-0 at No. 2 doubles.

Whitman stays at home Sunday to host Whitworth at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Missionaries dropped a 5-4 decision to the Pirates earlier this season in Spokane, Wash.

George Fox next plays on Friday, when it hosts Pacific Lutheran.

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CONTACT: Dave Holden

Sports Information Director
Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash.
509 527-5902; holden@whitman.edu