By: Ryan Lackey
NEWBERG, Ore. ---The Bruins enjoyed an excellent stretch of play this weekend, brushing aside both Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound, 8-1. With the two victories, the Bruins improve to 5-3 on the season.
Sarah Tuemmler and Chantelle Hadeed led the Bruins to a decisive 8-1 victory over Puget Sound on Friday afternoon.
Tuemmler and Hadeed opened the day with a smash-and-grab, 8-1 win over Puget Sound's Elizabeth Chao and Malia Ford in the #1 doubles match. In the #2 match, Catrina Kwong and Andrea Motley were nearly as good, winning comfortably, 8-4.
Krista Rey and Ali Diehl finished the Bruins' doubles sweep in the #3, finishing with a strong 8-2 set.
Tuemmler was just as effective in singles, winning the #1 match over Chao 6-2, 6-2. Hadeed, too, was dominant in her 6-0, 6-2 triumph.
Taylor Barnes dropped the Bruins' only point at #3, losing to Farrell Ahif 6-2, 6(10)-1(7).
Kwong, Motley, and Rey without too much trouble won the #4, #5, and #6 matches, respectively.
The Bruins were just as formidable on Saturday against the Pacific Lutheran Lutes, and Tuemmler and Hadeed again were the catalysts. The fluid, technical pair won the #1 doubles spot over Caroline Dreher and Allison McClure, 8-4. Kwong and Motley took the #2 match by a wider margin, 8-2, and Diehl and Rey replicated, winning #3 by the same total.
In singles, Tuemmler rolled over Dreher in two sets, 6-4, 6-1. McClure gave Hadeed all she could handle, but Hadeed secured another point for the Bruins in three sets of excellent tennis, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. Kwong also took three sets to beat Emily Bower, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
"It was a great couple of days for the team," said head coach Rick Cruz. "The doubles set the tone for each match and the girls finished the matches playing some great singles."
After losing the previous day, Taylor Barnes rebounded to win the #3 match, 6-4, 6-3. Motley was the one Bruin defeated, losing in two sets to Emily Beemsterboer. Diehl won breezily, 6-0, 6-1.
This group is starting to learn how to compete for every point. Chantelle and Catrina pulled out tough 3 set wins," said Cruz. "This should make us stronger as we move deeper into the season."
"I'm excited to see how we compete next week against two very talented teams," added Cruz. The Bruins will take to the road to match up against Linfield on March 7 and Lewis & Clark on March 8.
