Agarycheva and Palmer are Ranked #4 in Doubles in West Region

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University doubles team of Natalia Agarycheva (Jr., Vancouver, WA/Prairie HS/U. of Northern Colorado) and Shannon Palmer (So., Salem, OR/Sprague HS) is ranked #4 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings for the West Region of NCAA Division III. Agarycheva also is ranked #7 in the West Region in singles.

Agarycheva and Palmer have achieved a 6-2 doubles record, all against NWC opponents. They are 2-0 against the #7-ranked double team, after recording a pair of close wins over Abby Olbrich and Sallie Katter of Linfield College.

In singles, Agarycheva is 10-1 and owns a nine-match winning streak. Nine of her 10 wins has been in straight sets.

Head Coach Becky Roberts has guided Willamette to an 8-4 record this season, 8-4 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats are in fourth place in the NWC standings. Willamette is not included in the West Region team rankings at this time, but will play three matches against regionally ranked opponents in California later in the week.

On Thursday, March 25, the Bearcats will take on California Lutheran University (#8 in the West) in Thousand Oaks at 2 p.m. (PDT). On Friday, March 26, Willamette will battle Chapman University (#2) in Orange at 2 p.m. WU will complete the trip by playing Occidental College (#9) in Los Angeles at 10 a.m.