By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Bellevue College prevailed in one close doubles match and in two tight battles in singles play, as the Bulldogs defeated Willamette University, 8-1, in an exhibition match at the Salem Tennis and Swim Club on Saturday, March 3. The match will not go on Willamette's win-loss record for the season because the NCAA does not count results against two-year colleges.

The Bulldogs gained an early edge by winning two of the three doubles matches, including a 9-7 triumph by Rodolfo Baba and Shu Chatani over David Liang (Fr., Beijing, China/Bellevue Christian School, Wash.) and Luke Hiserman (Fr., Monterey, CAPacific Grove HS) at #3 doubles. In the #2 doubles match, Bellevue's team of Oscar Cruz and Mique Curry-Edwards defeaed Gene Perle-Jones (So., Eugene, ORNorth Eugene HS) and Owen Burcham (Fr., Portland, OR/Wilson HS), 8-2.

Willamette's lone victory of the match was registered at #1 doubles, where Aaron Schechter (Jr., Seattle, WA/James A. Garfield HS) and Colin Fisher (So., Caldwell, ID/Thomas Jefferson Charter School) downed Edgar Quintero and Emahd Khan, 8-2.

In addition to winning the closest doubles match of the afternoon, the Bulldogs also edged the Bearcats at #3 singles and #4 singles. Cruz outlasted Fisher in the #3 singles match in a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set. Cruz won 6-7 (8-10), 7-5, 10-5. At #4 singles, Baba slipped past Burcham in a match that featured a pair of tie-breakers, 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 7-6 (7-1).

"The team started out really good and stayed in most matches," Willamette Head Coach Rick Wood said. "Practice has been great the last two weeks and it shows. Now we need to put it all together and finish matches strong for wins."

Quintero of Bellevue held of Schechter in the first set at #1 singles, 6-4, before adding a 6-2 win in the second set. At #5 singles, Curry-Edwards defeated Liang, 6-0, 6-3, and at #6 singles, Chatani downed Hiserman, 6-2, 6-1.

Willamette will take on the University of Oregon Club team in another exhibition match on Sunday, Feb. 4. The match is slated to begin at 11 a.m. in Eugene, Oregon.