Boxscore
by Jimmy Chau
PORTLAND, OR.-
It was too little too late for the home team as they could not find their rhythm against the two-time defending league champions. With players from both teams in sweats for most of the match, it was the Pios who couldn't seem to find their stride as they get swept 9-0.
Play started with singles competition where Whitworth seemed to excel. Up and down the lineup, the Pirates seemed to have that little extra that the Pios couldn't match. Playing a brilliant match for the visitors was Rachel Burns. Having previously never beaten LC senior Amalia Nilsson, Burns would not let past results dictate what would happen tonight. Burns was amazingly efficient covering the court and took advantage when she had the opportunities in a 6-3, 6-1 win. Burns' doubles teammate, Alli Marshall follow her lead by playing relatively error free while utilizing her trade mark big ground strokes in a 6-3, 6-1 victory against Izzy Borris. The most competitive match in singles action came at the number four spot where two familiar foes would square off. Having played close matches before, Jill Coleman and Katie Staudinger would have another thriller full of back and forth momentum swings. Staudinger would get the better of Coleman on this night, with a hard fought 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win.
Although doubles action wouldn't provide any wins for the Pioneers, the matches were much tighter and the women would at least end the night knowing that they could play with the defending champs. Whitney DeBree and Coleman would start off doubles play going toe to toe with Erica Bosman and Staudinger. Both teams held serve all the way through to 7-6 until the Pios got tight. The shot making and aggressive Pioneers seemed to turn conservative and let Bosman and Staudinger win a few key points that turned out to be decisive in their 9-7 win. Makena McCluskey and Olivia Sweetman would make things interesting at the third doubles slot also, rallying from 7-2 down to being a break away from evening the match at 7-7. Although Whitworth would pull out the win 8-6, it was a great learning experience for the freshman duo and left them hungry to have another shot at their opponents again.
The Pioneers travel to perennial powerhouse Linfield College next on Saturday February 19th for a 1 pm match.
