By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Andrew Kabacy (So., Vancouver, WA/Skyview HS) continued a strong season in singles action, as he defeated George Fox University's #1 singles player, 6-2, 6-4, on Sunday, March 8, but the nationally ranked Bruins downed the Bearcats, 8-1, in a Northwest Conference men's tennis match at the Salem Tennis and Swim Club. George Fox, which is ranked #28 nationally in NCAA Division III by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), improved to 3-3 overall, 2-0 in the NWC. Willamette ended the match at 0-4 overall, 0-2 in the NWC.

So far this season, Kabacy has won all five of his singles matches in dual meets, while always playing at the #1 position. On Sunday, he defeated Will Leach of GFU in straight sets. Colin Fisher (Sr., Caldwell, ID/Thomas Jefferson Charter School) of Willamette battled Alex Namba in the first set at #3 singles, before Namba won the match, 6-3, 6-1. At #6 singles, Noah Miyamura downed Willamette's Andrew Kropp (Fy, Bend, OR/Summit HS), 6-3, 6-2. Other winners for the Bruins in singles were Rox Rogers at #2, Jonah Wafula at #4, and Peter Gibson at #5.

The Bruins excelled in doubles, winning all three matches. The #1 and #2 doubles matches were decided by 8-2 margins, as Leach and Namba defeated Gene Perle-Jones (Sr., Eugene, OR/North Eugene HS) and Fisher at #1, and Rogers and Luke Lemaitre downed Kabacy and Kropp at #2. Camden Comacho and Thierry Van Os of GFU won #3 doubles, 8-0, against Luke Hiserman (Jr., Monterey, CA/Pacific Grove HS) and Thomas Andersen (Fy., Salem, OR/South Salem HS).

Willamette is scheduled to play at Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, March 14 in Tacoma, Washington. Match time is set for 1 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats will stay in Tacoma to take on the University of Puget Sound on Sunday, March 15 at 10 a.m. (PDT).