Press Release

April 6, 2011

Bearcats beat conference leader Washburn

Box Score

MARYVILLE, Mo.-The Northwest Missouri State women's tennis team moved to within a half-game of first-place in the MIAA with its 6-3 win on Wednesday afternoon over Washburn. The Bearcats and Lady Blues now sit just behind Emporia State in the league standings. The Lady Hornets are 5-1 in the league.

Northwest's (8-8, 5-2 MIAA) Erika Leston proved to be the deciding match on the day, defeating Washburn's Morgan Rainey 6-4, 4-6 and 6-3. Rainey came into the match the 15^th-ranked singles player in the region. Sureena Weir's 6-2 and 6-2 victory added a bit of cushion for the Bearcats in the final tally.

Alexis Bartek was the other Bearcat to earn a singles win on the day, winning 6-4 and 6-2. Northwest also won all three doubles matches on the day against the Lady Blues (7-4, 4-1 MIAA).

The team of Weir and Alison Wulff were the most impressive, winning 8-0. The duo of Leston and Leslee Feldhaus were victorious 8-3 and Bartek and Emily Hoffman won their match 8-5.

The Bearcats hit the road this weekend for three matches. Northwest will face Cameron (Okla.) and Incarnate Word (Texas) on Friday and will play Central Oklahoma on Saturday in regional action.