PORTLAND, Ore. - Whitworth University picked up what could be a key victory toward seeding in the 2008 Northwest Conference tennis tournament when the Pirates defeated Lewis & Clark College 7-2 in a battle for sole possession of second place in the NWC standings on Saturday. The win completed a 3-0 trip as the Pirates swept to 9-0 wins over Pacific University and George Fox University on Saturday.

Click here for L&C match box score.

Katie Staudinger, Justine Hays and Angela Anegon each won a pair of matches against Lewis & Clark. Staudinger teamed with Rachel Burns to win 8-3 at #2 doubles then defeated Whitney DeBree 6-0, 7-6 in the #4 singles match. Hays and Anegon won the #3 doubles match 8-2. Hays won 6-3, 6-1 at #5 singles, while Anegon won 6-3, 3-6, 10-4 at #6 singles.

Lexy Harrington and Linh Aven won their singles matches to account for Whitworth's other two points. Harrington won 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 at #2 singles over Lisa Harunaga, while Aven won 6-1, 6-1 at #3 singles.

Whitworth has won six matches in a row and now holds a one match lead on L&C for second place in the NWC standings. The top two teams will receive a bye in the first round of the conference tournament.

The Pirates are off until March 25th when they begin a spring break trip to California with a match against the University of La Verne.