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

YAKIMA, WASH. -- Natalia Agarycheva (Jr., Vancouver, WA/Prairie HS/U. of Northern Colorado) of Willamette University has been selected Northwest Conference Player of the Year for 2009-10 in women's tennis. Agarycheva also was one of eight athletes named First Team All-NWC in voting by the league's head coaches.

Agarycheva is 18-2 in singles this spring, including 14-1 against NWC opponents during the regular season. She is ranked #8 in the NCAA Division III West Region. She will compete at the prestigious Ojai Tournament later this week.

As Willamette's #1 singles player, she has helped the Bearcats achieve a 12-9 dual match record. The Bearcats took fourth place in the NWC with a 10-6 record during the conference's double round-robin schedule.

In addition to solid play during singles, Agarycheva also has provided Willamette with steady play in doubles. She is 12-7 overall in doubles, including 10-5 with teammate Shannon Palmer (So., Salem, OR/Sprague HS). Agarycheva and Palmer are ranked #4 in the West Region.

Also chosen First Team All-NWC were Rachel Burns of Whitworth University, Abby Olbrich and Sallie Katter of Linfield College, Alyssa Roberg and Elise Otto of Whitman College, Amalia Nilsson from Lewis & Clark College and Cat Goya from Pacific University.

Whitman Head Coach John Hein was chosen NWC Women's Coach of the Year. Burns was voted Sportswoman of the Year.

Four athletes received Second Team All-NWC recognition. They were Alli Marshall of Whitworth, Lisa Harunaga of Lewis & Clark, Megan Yoshimoto of Pacific and Molly Beaumont from George Fox University.

All-Northwest Conference

First Team
Natalia Agarycheva, Willamette
Rachel Burns, Whitworth
Cat Goya, Pacific
Sallie Katter, Linfield
Amalia Nilsson, Lewis & Clark
Abby Olbrich, Linfield
Elise Otto, Whitman
Alyssa Roberg, Whitman

Player of the Year: Natalia Agarycheva, Willamette
Coach of the Year: John Hein, Whitman
Sportswoman of the Year: Rachel Burns, Whitworth

Second Team
Molly Beaumont, George Fox
Lisa Harunaga, Lewis & Clark
Alli Marshall, Whitworth
Megan Yoshimoto, Pacific