Pacific Lutheran Defeats Bearcats, 6-3, in Men's Tennis

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Pacific Lutheran University earned wins at #1 and #3 doubles, and added victories in four of six singles matches, to defeat Willamette University, 6-3, in a men's tennis match at the Courthouse Tennis Center on Saturday, March 10. The Lutes improved to 3-3 overall, 2-3 in the Northwest Conference, while the Bearcats dropped to 3-2 on the season, 3-2 in the NWC.

The dual meet hinged on a trio of three-set matches in singles. Pacific Lutheran won two of the matches, claiming wins at #5 and #6 singles. WU gained a three-set victory at #3 singles.

PLU's win at #5 singles went to Reed Gunstone, who dropped the second set, but edge out Devin Abney (Fr., Shoreline, WA/Shorecrest HS/U. of Redlands), 7-5, 1-6, 10-6, in the super tie-breaker played instead of a full third set. At #6 singles, Luke Olson of Pacific Lutheran won the first set and the third set to foil a rally by Will Agnew-Svoboda (So., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS), 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

Garrett Vincent (So., Seattle, WA/Seattle Prep/Bellevue CC) of WU took #3 doubles in a super tie-breaker, outlasting Taylor Dickey, 7-5, 2-6, 10-6.

The Lutes also won #1 and #4 singles. Zack AhYat defeated Joshua Wong (Jr., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS), 6-1, 6-1, in the #1 match. At #4 singles, Spencer Herron won a pair of close sets, 6-3 and 6-4, against Will Cooper (So., Gresham, OR/Centennial HS).

Cody Ferguson (Sr., North Bend, OR/North Bend HS/Western Oregon Univ.) claimed #2 singles for Willamette, as he downed Daniel Cotton in a tie-breaker during the first set, 7-6 (7-4), before easily winning the second set, 6-1.

PLU gained an early 2-1 lead in doubles. AhYat and Dickey defeated Abney and Vincent at #1 doubles, 8-5. Wong and Ferguson of Willamette swept their way to an 8-0 win over Cotton and Olson at #2 doubles. Herron and Gladstone of PLU won #3 doubles over Cooper and Cameron Thompson (Jr., Torrance, CA/North Torrance HS), 8-4.

Willamette will compete in its third home match in four days when the Bearcats host Whitman College on Monday, March 12. Match time is set for 2 p.m. (PDT) at the WU Tennis Courts, but the action may be moved to the Courthouse Tennis Center at 1379 Madison St. NE if the weather prevents playing outdoors.