Agarycheva and Dieguez Perform Well at USTA/ITA Northwest Regional Championships

By Sara Elcano, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Willamette University's Natalia Agarycheva (Sr., Vancouver, WA/Univ. of Northern Colo.) and Fabi Dieguez (Jr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS) have advanced to the Round of 16 in singles at the USTA/ITA Small College Northwest Regional championships, hosted by Whitman College. Agarycheva and Dieguez also have advanced to the quarterfinals in doubles action.

In singles play, Agarycheva won her opening round match against Sarah Palmer of Pacific University. The senior captured a 6-0, 6-0 victory. Agarycheva cruised to a second round win against Shaina Inn of George Fox University. Agarycheva won 6-2, 6-2.

Dieguez was equally successful in her two matches. She won 6-2, 6-0 in the opening round against Lily Abildayeva of GFU. Dieguez faced Madison Holtz from the University of Puget Sound in the second round. She won 6-3, 6-3.

The duo opened action in the doubles tournament Sarah Palmer and Rachel Palmer of Pacific. Agarycheva and Dieguez won 8-0. The Willamette pair also won in the second round, 8-0, over Holly Dixon and Jessie Gauger from Puget Sound.

Agarycheva, who entered the tournament ranked first overall, will play against Caroline Brigham from Linfield College on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 9 a.m. (PDT). Brigham entered the tournament ranked ninth.

Dieguez begins quarterfinals play at 10 a.m. (PDT) against Elise Otto from Whitman College. Otto is ranked fifth in the tournament. Dieguez entered play not ranked.

The pair will face Erica Bosman and Alli Marshall from Whitworth University in the quarterfinals. Bosman and Marshall are ranked fourth while the Willamette team is ranked fifth. The match will be played at 3:30 p.m. (PDT).