Lutes Edge Bearcats, 5-4, in NWC Men's Tennis

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Pacific Lutheran University, trailed 2-1 after the doubles matches, but won four of six singles matches to defeat Willamette University, 5-4, in Northwest Conference men's tennis action on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Courthouse Tennis Center. PLU upped its record to 3-1 overall, 3-1 in the NWC. Willamette slipped to 1-3 on the season, 1-2 in the NWC.

Willamette's Joshua Wong (Sr., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS), who is ranked #18 in the nation in NCAA Division III in singles, defeated Jason Bower of PLU at #1 singles in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2. Wong also teamed with Sam Wexman (Fr., Tiburon, CA/Gamiscal HS) to triumph for the Bearcats at #1 doubles over PLU's team of Sam Angel and Luke Olson, 8-4.

The Bearcats also won at #3 doubles, as Colin Yamaguchi (Fr., Damascus, OR/Clackamas HS) and Gunnar Lee (Fr., Hilo, HI/St Joseph HS) outlasted Mitch Yannello and Brandon Bulaclac from PLU, 8-6.

Although Bower and Taylor Dickey were victorious for the Lutes at #2 doubles, 8-3, over Will Cooper (Jr., Gresham, OR/Centennial HS) and Devin Abney (So., Shoreline, WA/Shorecrest HS/Univ. of Redlands), Willamette nonetheless took a 2-1 margin into singles.

Wong's victory at #1 singles was a plus for the Bearcats, but Pacific Lutheran claimed wins at #2, #3 and #4 singles.

Olson won at the #2 position, defeating Wexman of WU in three sets, 6-4, 6-7 (1-7), 6-3. At #3 singles, Angel of PLU gained a pair of close set victories over Cooper, 7-5, 6-3. Dickey won for the Lutes at #4 singles against Agney, 6-2, 6-2.

Jack Schreiber (So., Solana Beach, CA/The Grauer School) picked up a win for the Bearcats at #5 singles, as he rallied past Yannello, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Bulaclac of PLU took #6 singles over Yamaguchi in a competitive match, 6-3, 6-4.

Willamette's next match is slated for Friday, March 1 against George Fox University. Game time at the WU Tennis Courts will be 3 p.m. (PST). If weather requires the match to move indoors, it will be held at the Courthouse Tennis Center at 2:30 p.m.