Willamette Edges Puget Sound, 5-4, as Blaisdell Rallies at #5 Singles

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

TACOMA, Wash. -- Willamette University freshman Jacob Blaisdell (Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) outlasted Andrew Struzenberg from the University of Puget Sound in a three-set match at #5 singles, breaking a 4-4 tie in the team score and sending the Bearcats past the Loggers, 5-4, in men's tennis on Sunday, April 5.

Blaisdell was victorious in his battle with Struzenberg after dropping the first set, as he rallied with close wins in the final two sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

The Northwest Conference victory upped Willamette's record to 3-10 overall and to 3-4 in the NWC. Puget Sound ended the match at 1-9 on the season, 0-9 in the NWC.

Willamette gained an important advantage by winning two of the three doubles matches.

At #2 doubles, the Bearcats won with Sam Wexman (Jr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS) and Shrujan Kalidindi (Jr., Cupertino, CA/Monta Vista HS) defeating Daniel Deuel and Abe Noyes, 9-7. In the #3 match, Jack Schreiber (Sr., Solana Beach, CA/The Grauer School) and Derek Lund (Fr., Helena, MT/Capital HS) of WU outscored Cotlon Wright and Chet Selis of UPS, 8-5.

UPS registered a win at #1 doubles, as Joe McRoberts and Struzenberg held off Gunnar Lee (Jr., Hilo, HI/St. Joseph HS) and Blaisdell, 8-6.

With a 2-1 lead secured, Willamette needed to match the Loggers in singles in order to win the overall match. The Bearcats responded by earning wins at #2, #4 and #5 singles.

Joining Blaisdell with wins for WU in singles were Schreiber at #2 and Blake Brash (Jr., Boise, ID/Boise HS) at #4. Schreiber breezed past Deuel, 6-1, 6-1, while Brash downed Noyes, 6-2, 6-3.

The Loggers recorded wins at #1, #3 and #6 singles. In the top match, McRoberts defeated Lee, 6-3, 6-3. In #3 singles, Wright rallied past Wexman in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. At #6 singles, Jacob Kompolt moved past Kalidindi for a 6-2, 6-3 victory.

Willamette will play at Whitman College on Saturday, April 11. The match will get underway in Walla Walla, Washington, at 1 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats will take on Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, on Sunday, April 12 starting at 1 p.m.