Bruins Down Bearcats in Men's Tennis, 8-1

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

SALEM, Ore. -- George Fox University defeated Willamette University in a Northwest Conference men's tennis match, 8-1, on Saturday, April 4 at the WU Tennis Courts. GFu upped its record to 11-6 on the season, including 6-3 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 2-10 overall, 2-4 in the NWC.

The Bruins gained a big edge early in the match by recording wins at all three doubles positions.

At #1 doubles, GFU's team of Andrew You and Spencer Watanabe moved past Jacob Blaisdell (Fr., Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) and Gunnar Lee (Jr., Hilo, HI/St. Joseph HS), 8-1. At #2 doubles, a close match was won by Chris Lilley and Chace Stalcup as they defeated Sam Wexman (Jr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS) and Shrujan Kalidindi (Jr., Cupertino, CA/Monta Vista HS) of WU, 9-7.

In #3 doubles, the Bruins received another win in a highly contested match, as Vincent Viloria and Nicholas Grafton outlasted Jack Schreiber (Sr., Solana Beach, CA/The Grauer School) and Derek Lund (Fr., Helena, MT/Capital HS), 8-6.

Blake Brash (Jr., Boise, ID/Boise HS) registered Willamette's only win at #4 singles. He downed Viloria, 6-2, 6-2.

Watanabe of GFU defeated Lee of Willamette, 6-2, in the first set at #1 singles, and then won a tight second set, 7-5. At #2 singles, Lilly edged Schreiber in consecutive sets, 6-4, 6-4. In the #3 singles match, Wexman of WU had to retire in the second set with Nicholas Grafton leading in the match, 6-2, 2-1. GFU prevailed in straight sets at #4, #5 and #6 singles.

The Bearcats will play again on Sunday, April 5 at University of Puget Sound. Match time is scheduled for 11 a.m. (PDT) in Tacoma, Wash.