By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

NEWBERG, Ore. -- Andrew Kabacy (Sr., Vancouver, WA/Skyview HS) of Willamette University won his first two matches in the championship singles bracket on Saturday, Sept. 18 at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Northwest Regional Championships. Kabacy will compete again in the Round of 16, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 19. The ITA Northwest Regional is being hosted by George Fox University.

Kabacy opened Saturday's action with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Osman Chan of Pacific University. In the second round, Kabacy outlasted Braeden Thomas of Whitman College, in a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set. Kabacy won 5-67, 6-0, 10-8. In the Round of 16, Kabacy, who is one of eight players tied for the ninth through 16th seeds, will take on #1-seeded Reyn Miyagawa of Pacific on Sunday at 2 p.m. (PDT).

Three other Bearcats competed in first round matches in the championship singles bracket. Andrew Kropp (Jr., Bend, OR/Summit HS) lost to Joshua Matabuena of Pacific, 6-0, 6-2. Jordan Megiveron (Jr., Edmonds, WA/Edmonds-Woodway HS) fell to Nick Gableman of Linfield University, 6-1, 6-4. Kai Kumra (Jr., Santa Rosa, CA/Cardinal Newman HS) was defeated by Camden Camacho of George Fox. Camacho is one of four players tied for the fifth through eighth seeds.

Kropp, Megiveron, and Kumra will be involved in consolation singles matches on Sunday. Kropp will take on Aaron Yuan of Whitman College at 11 a.m. (PDT). Megiveron will battle against Matthew Chio from Lewis & Clark College at 12 p.m. Kumra is scheduled to play Will Worth of Linfield at 12 p.m. The winners of those matches will advance to the consolation Round of 16 set for later in the day.

Willamette's team of Kropp and Megiveron played in the first round of consolation doubles on Saturday. Kropp and Megiveron fell to Jackson Wurzer and Luca Viarengo of Whitman College, 8-0.

The ITA Northwest Regional Championships will continue through Monday, Sept. 20.