By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Whitman College, ranked #12 in NCAA Division III by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), advanced its record to 9-6 on the season and to 6-0 in the Northwest Conference with an 8-1 win over Willamette University on Sunday, March 25. Willamette dropped to 2-7 overall, 1-4 in the NWC. Doubles matches were played at the Bratton Indoor Tennis Center and singles matches were contested outdoors at the Whitman Tennis Courts.

Willamette's only victory was registered by David Liang (Fr., Beijing, China/Bellevue Christian School, Wash.) at #6 singles. Liang downed Azur Ali in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.

At #1 doubles, Trevor Fennessy and Alex Hwang of Whitman downed Aaron Schechter (Jr., Seattle, WA/James A. Garfield HS) and Colin Fisher (So., Caldwell, ID/Thomas Jefferson Charter School) of Willamette, 8-2. The Blues also received wins from their #2 doubles team of Gary Ho and Robert Carter and from their #3 doubles team of Luke Targett and Jack Fleming.

In singles play, Whitman earned five wins in straight sets, as the Blues clinched their sixth NWC team victory of the season without a loss. Ben Kirsh won #1 singles against Schechter, 6-1, 6-0. Daniel Foster defeated Gene Perle-Jones (So., Eugene, OR/North Eugene HS) at #2 singles, 6-0, 6-1.

Also winning in singles for Whitman were Rajul Chikkalingaiah at #3, Nichaant Limaye at #4 and Jack Freeer at #5. Liang's win for the Bearcats at the #6 position prevented the Blues from sweeping the singles competition and the overall match.

Willamette will not play again until Saturday, April 7 when they are scheduled to host George Fox University. Game time at the WU Tennis Courts is set for 10 a.m. (PDT).