Wong Honored as NWC Men's Tennis Student-Athlete of the Week

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University's Joshua Wong (Sr., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Men's Tennis Student-Athlete of the Week after helping the Bearcats defeat Whitworth University and Lewis & Clark College in NWC matches on Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16, respectively.

The Bearcats downed the Pirates and the Pioneers by identical scores of 6-3. Wong was victorious at #1 singles and #1 doubles each day to help Willamette secure the wins.

WU ended the week with a 5-6 overall record. The Bearcats improved to 5-4 in the NWC.

In singles, Wong defeated Cameron Williams of Whitworth, 6-0, 6-0, and moved past Kevin Ross from Lewis & Clark, 6-1, 6-2. Wong and teammate Sam Wexman (Fr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS) combined in doubles to outlast Williams and Drew Brigham from Whitworth, in a tie-breaker, 9-8 (7-4), before outscoring L&C's Ross and Daniel Hahm, 8-6, on day later.

Wong improved to 9-0 in singles this season, including 8-0 against NWC opponents. In doubles, Wong and Wexman advanced their record to 9-1, while remaining undefeated in NWC action at 9-0.

The Bearcats do not play this week, but will take on four opponents in California between March 24 and March 29 during Spring Break. Willamette will open the week by playing NCAA Division I opponent Fresno State University on Sunday, March 24 at 12 p.m. (PDT).

WU will play the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Claremont, Calif., on March 26, will take on Middlebury College (Vt.) in Claremont on March 27, and will conclude the trip with an exhibition match against American River College (Calif.) in Sacramento on March 29.