Wong Wins in Singles, but Middlebury, Ranked #14, Downs Bearcats, 8-1

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

CLAREMONT, CALIF. -- Middlebury College (Vt.), ranked #14 nationally in NCAA Division III, downed Willamette University, 8-1, at the Claremont Club on Wednesday, March 27. Willamette's top player, Joshua Wong (Sr., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS) continued his strong play with a win at #1 singles, but Middlebury won all of the remaining matches.

The Panthers improved to 9-0 on the season, while the Bearcats dropped to 5-9.

Wong defeated Alex Parower in the #1 singles match, losing a total of only three games as he earned a 6-2, 6-1 victory. Wong is 11-1 this spring in singles matches, losing only to Reid deLaubenfels from Fresno State University of NCAA Division I.

Middlebury won all of the other singles matches in straight sets. At #6 singles, Blake Brash (Fr., Boise, ID/Boise HS) of WU lost the first set quickly, but provided a solid battle in the second set before James Burke won for the Panthers, 6-0, 6-3.

With a roster of 17 players, Middlebury was able to use six team members in doubles who did not play singles. In the #1 doubles match, Alex Johnston and Spencer Lunghino of Middlebury defeated Wong and Sam Wexman (Fr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS), 8-2.

The closest doubles match was at the #3 position, where Chris Frost and William Oberrender outscored the Bearcats' team of Devin Abney (So., Shoreline, WA/Shorecrest HS/Univ. of Redlands) and Jack Schreiber (So., Solana Beach, CA/The Grauer School), 8-5.