Whitman, Ranked #16, Defeats Willamette in Men's Tennis, 9-0

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Whitman College men's tennis team, ranked #16 in NCAA Division III by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), defeated Willamette University, 9-0, at the WU Tennis Courts. Whitman upped its record to 3-1 on the season, including 2-0 in the Northwest Conference.

Willamette fell to 0-4 overall. The Bearcats moved to 0-2 in the NWC.

Although the Missionaries won all of the singles and doubles matches, it took two wins by Whitman during super tie-breakers played instead of a third set at #3 and #6 singles to complete the sweep.

At #3 singles, Petar Jivkov edged out Will Cooper (Sr., Gresham, OR/Centennial HS), 6-3, 4-6, 10-6. The #6 singles match was won by Parker Silverman over Gunnar Lee (So., Hilo, HI/St. Joseph HS), 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 10-3.

Andy Riggs of Whitman prevailed at #1 singles against Sam Wexman (So., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS), 6-0, 6-2. Colton Malesovas,the defending NWC Men's Tennis Player of the Year, combined with Andrew La Cava to defeat Wexman and Lee at #1 doubles, 8-3.

The Missionaries built an early 3-0 lead by also winning #2 and #3 doubles. At #2, Jake Hoeger and Andy Riggs downed Devin Abney (Jr., Shoreline, WA/Shorecrest HS/Univ. of Redlands) and Cooper, 8-3. At #3, the team of Steven Roston and James Rivers won 8-1 over Blake Brash (So., Boise, ID/Boise HS) and Shrujan Kalidindi (So., Cupertino, CA/Monta Vista HS).