WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Despite competing with only five players, Whitman College was able to hold off visiting Whitworth University 5-4 in a Northwest Conference women's tennis match on Saturday.

The Blues improved to 2-2 overall and 2-2 in the NWC while the Pirates fell to 2-5, 1-2.

Whitworth took a 2-1 lead after the doubles matches.  Lauren Ikeda and Hannah Plank defeated Whitman's Irene Tsai and Grace Carter 8-2 at #2 doubles, while Kara Nelson and Meredith Bedford won #3 by default.  Angel Le and Anastasiya Redkina topped Whitworth's Aleah Kert and Kyndal Locati 8-3 at #1 doubles.

The Pirates earned a singles victory at #4 where Locati defeat Carter 6-3, 6-2.  The Bucs also picked up a point at #6 by forfeit.

But Whitman won the other four singles matches to pull out the team victory.  Tsai rallied for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 win over Ikeda at #3 singles, while Le edged Kert 7-5, 6-2 at #1 singles. 

Whitworth will be back in action next weekend when the Pirates play at pair at George Fox on Saturday.  The first contest will be a Northwest Conference counter.