Setting the Scene: Pacific Lutheran plays its fourth straight match in Pierce County today, welcoming Willamette University to the Sprinker Recreation Center.
About the Lutes: Pacific Lutheran (2-10, 0-4 NWC) was unable to keep pace with intracity nemesis University of Puget Sound last Saturday, suffering a 9-0 setback in a Northwest Conference dual match at the UPS Tennis Pavilion.
"I'm disappointed in our results today because every Lute battled on their court," said Head Coach Cheri Campbell.
"Ella Burriss came out strong and demonstrated her ability to compete at a high level. We're ready to get back to our practice routine and prepare for our matches next weekend."
In doubles action, Lilian Nguyen and Libertad Sarmiento hung tough at the No. 3 position before ultimately coming up short 8-4 to the Loggers' (3-5, 1-2 NWC) Marissa Perez and Libby Stroup. Taylor Stokes and Ella Burriss came up short in No. 1 doubles, falling 8-2.
In singles, Burriss won her opening set but was unable to continue that momentum in her match at the No. 2 spot, falling short, 3-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-4), to Puget Sound's Paige Shinall.
Sarmiento dropped her match at No. 5 singles, including a razor thin, 6-4, opening set while Katelyn Gonzalez offered stiff resistance in her second set of her match at No. 6, coming up on the wrong side of a 6-4 scoreline.
About the Bearcats: Willamette (0-5, 0-4 NWC) heads to Tacoma searching for its first victory of the season. The Bearcats opened the spring with a 5-4 exhibition win over Bellevue College but its been tough sledding since, including dropping its last four NWC matches by 9-0 scorelines.
Richelle Suzuki and Anika Groener are the Bearcats' No. 1 doubles tandem with both bouncing between the No. 1 and No. 2 singles positions this spring.
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Next Home Match:
Apr. 10 vs. Pacific University (10 a.m.)
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