By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- On the strength of a 3-0 sweep of the doubles matches, including two close wins, the University of Puget Sound defeated Willamette University in men's tennis, 6-3, at the WU Tennis Courts on Saturday, April 2. The Bearcats earned wins at three of the top four singles positions, but couldn't overcome the Loggers' early advantage.

Puget Sound moved to 1-6 on the season, 1-6 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 1-7 overall, 1-6 in the NWC.

The Loggers held a comfortable lead entering the singles matches, thanks in part to competitive wins at #1 and #3 doubles. At #1 doubles, Joe McRoberts and Riley Inn outlasted Wilalmette's team of Aaron Schechter (Fr., Seattle, WA/James A. Garfield HS) and Colin Yamaguchi (Sr./Jr., Clackamas, OR/Clackamas HS), 9-7.

In the #3 doubles match, Chet Selis and Andrew Struzenberg of UPS edged out Douglas Hochmuth (Jr./Fr., Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd HS) and Jesse Mackinney (So., Arcata, CA/Northcoast Prep and Performing Arts Academy), 8-6.

Puget Sound also gained a victory at #2 doubles, as Daniel Deuel and Nicholas Lupan downed Blake Brash (Sr., Boise, ID/Boise HS) and Samuel Wexman (Sr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS), 8-3.

Brash rallied to win #1 singles for the Bearcats after McRoberts took the first set, 6-0. Brash won the second set in a tie-breaker, 7-6 (9-7), and then prevailed in a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set, 10-6.

An equally close match was played at #2 singles. Deuel of Puget Sound won the match despite a solid rally by Schechter. Deuel took the first set, 6-3, but Schechter claimed the second set in a tie-breaker, 7-6 (7-5). In the super tie-breaker played to decide the match, Deuel earned a 10-5 victory.

Wexman won #3 singles for the Bearcats over Lupan, 6-2, 6-4. Yamaguchi also won for Willamette, as he achieved a 6-4, 7-5 triumph in a close match against Inn.

UPS picked up a victory by Selis at #5 singles and a win by Chris Severt at #6 singles. Selis defeated Hochmuth, 6-1, 6-4. Severt downed Mackinney, 6-1, 6-1.

Willamette will remain at home to take on Pacific Lutheran University in Northwest Conference action on Sunday, April 3. Match time is set for 1 p.m. (PDT).