Sonoma State from NCAA Division II Defeats Bearcats, 9-0 in California

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

SONOMA, CALIF. -- Sonoma State University from NCAA Division II, defeated Willamette University of NCAA Division III, 9-0, on Tuesday, March 26, as the Bearcats opened their Spring Break trip to California.

The Seawolves improved to 4-8 on the season, while Willamette dropped to 1-8. Three of the Bearcats' losses have been to teams from NCAA Division I or NCAA Division II.

Willamette won several games in doubles, but couldn't string together enough momentum to stop Sonoma State, which earned victories at all three doubles positions. A bit later, the Bearcats provided solid competition at #3, #4 and #5 singles, before Sonoma State prevailed each time. The Seawolves won by significant margins at #1, #2 and #6 singles.

At #1 doubles, Philip Holbrook and Matt Roberts of Sonoma State downed Will Cooper (Sr., Gresham, OR/Centennial HS) and Devin Abney (Jr., Shoreline, WA/Shorecrest HS/Univ. of Redlands) from Willamette, 8-3.

The #2 doubles match was won by Seth Hein and Jimmy Manning of Sonoma State, 8-4, over Sam Wexman (So., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS) and Gunnar Lee (So., Hilo, HI/St. Joseph HS). Logan Liddell and Robert Henry of SSU triumphed at #3 doubles against Blake Brash (So., Boise, ID/Boise HS) and Shrujan Kalidindi (So., Cupertino, CA/Monta Vista HS), 8-3.

The Seawolves took #1 singles when Holbrook moved past Wexman, 6-1, 6-0. Daniel Holz won #2 singles over Cooper of Willamette, 6-1, 6-1.

Jack Schreiber (Jr., Solana Beach, CA/The Grauer School) of WU provided the toughest battle of the day at #3 singles in a match that wasn't decided until a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set. Liddell won the first set easily, 6-0, but Schreiber retaliated in the second to win a tie-breaker, 7-6 (7-5). In the super tie-breaker Liddell achieved a 10-6 victory.

At #4 singles, Vincent Paganetti of SSU defeated Brash, 6-4, 6-2. Hein won #5 singles against Lee, 6-3, 6-4. Manning garnered a win at #6 singles, as he downed Kalidindi, 6-2, 6-2.

Willamette will play an exhibition match against Foothills College on Thursday, March 27. The action is set to begin at 1 p.m. (PDT). The match is being played a day later than originally scheduled.