TACOMA, Wash. – The race for the final spot in the Northwest Conference women's tennis tournament just tightened up as the University of Puget Sound women's tennis team defeated Willamette on Saturday. The fifth-place Loggers (8-8, 5-5 NWC) took a 5-4 decision to close in on the Bearcats (9-5, 6-4 NWC).

The 5-4 match was a battle until the very last point with four Loggers' singles victories keying the victory.

After falling behind 2-1 in doubles, Marissa Friedman earned a quick 6-0, 6-1 victory over Joanna Sterngold. However, Natalia Agarycheva and Sabrina Gutierrez put the Bearcats one point away from clinching with 6-0, 6-1 wins over Madison Holtz and Maddie Thiesse, respectively.

Logan Thompson kept the Loggers hopes alive with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Emily Bee at #4. Jenna Gerdsen brought the Loggers even with a 6-1, 6-3 defeat of Fabi Dieguez and Ada Yu put the finishing touches on the comeback when se defeated Jamie Slonaker 6-3, 6-2.

The Loggers are now just behind the Bearcats in the standings with Whitman and Whitworth visiting Tacoma next week to wrap up the regular season. Both Whits have solidified their spots in the NWC Tournament.