Bearcats Blank Bruins in NWC Men's Tennis Match, 9-0

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University swept every match as the Bearcats defeated the Bruins of George Fox University, 9-0, in Northwest Conference men's tennis action at the WU Tennis Courts on Saturday, April 4. The Bearcats evened their overall record at 7-7. WU is also 7-7 against NWC teams. George Fox dropped to 1-16 on the season, 0-16 in the NWC.

Cody Ferguson (Fr., North Bend, OR/North Bend HS/Western Oregon University) led Willamette's clean slate in singles. He won at the #1 position over Scott Barnett, 6-4, 6-1. Andrew Murakami (Sr., Wahiawa, HI/Leilehua HS/Univ. of Redlands) of WU was victorious in the only match to go past two sets, as he defeated Stefan Lagielski
in a super tie-breaker at #2 singles, 6-4, 3-6, 10-8.

Micah Mack (Jr., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) and Michael Moore (So., Seattle, WA/Lakeside HS) won #5 singles and #6 singles, respectively, without losing a game. Matt Houser (So., Vancouver, WA/Evergreen HS) lost just three games in a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Nick Jenness.

The #1 doubles match was a solid battle between WU's team of Ferguson and Houser and the GFU team of Lagielski and Jenness. Ferguson and Houser won the match, 8-6. Willamette recorded easy wins at #2 doubles (8-0) and #3 doubles (8-1).

Willamette's overall victory was the first 9-0 win for the Bearcats this season. WU will close out its regular season schedule with home matches against Pacific University on Friday, April 10 at 3 p.m. (PDT) and against the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, April 11 at 2 p.m.

Singles
#1 - Cody Ferguson (WU) defeated Scott Barnett (GFU), 6-4, 6-1
#2 - Andrew Murakami (WU) defeated Stefan Lagielski (GFU), 6-4, 3-6, 10-8*
#3 - Matt Houser (WU) defeated Nick Jenness (GFU), 6-1, 6-2
#4 - Alex Sepenzis (WU) defeated Ross Budreau (GFU), 6-4, 6-2
#5 - Micah Mack (WU) defeated Garrett Thompson (GFU), 6-0, 6-0
#6 - Michael Moore (WU) defeated Scott Porter, 6-0, 6-0

Doubles
#1 - Ferguson and Houser (WU) defeated Lagielski and Jenness (GFU), 8-6
#2 - Murakami and Mack (WU) defeated Barnett and Budreau (GFU), 8-0
#3 - Sepenzis and Moore (WU) defeated Thompson and Porter (GFU), 8-1

* Tie-breaker played instead of a third set

Records:
Willamette University is 7-7 overall, 7-7 in the Northwest Conference. George Fox University is 1-16 overall, 1-16 in the NWC.