ITA Releases Fall Tennis Rankings

By Sara Elcano, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University men's tennis team is ranked 10th in the West Region of NCAA Division III in a poll released by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association on Thursday, Nov. 4. In the individual rankings, Cody Ferguson (Jr., North Bend, OR/Western Oregon Univ.) is ranked 15th and Josh Wong (So., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS) is ranked 29th. Natalia Agarycheva (Sr., Vancouver, WA/Univ. of Northern Colo.) is listed 9th in the women's rankings.

Ferguson advanced to the singles final of the USTA/ITA Men's Tennis Small College Northwest Regional earlier this fall. He lost in the final but was the first Willamette men's tennis player to reach the ITA Regional finals since the Bearcats joined NCAA Division III in 1998-99.

Wong reached the round of 16 at the same event. Ferguson and Wong also paired up to advance to the quarterfinals of the doubles competition.

Agarycheva won the singles final at the USTA/ITA Women's Tennis Small College Northwest Regional. By winning the regional title, Agarycheva qualified for the USTA/ITA Small College National Championships. She was defeated 6-3, 6-4, in the preliminary round.