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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University tennis player Natalia Agarycheva (Jr., Vancouver, WA/Prairie HS/U. of Northern Colorado) has been selected as one of 32 student-athletes who will compete in the singles bracket at the 2010 NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Championships. Agarycheva and the other participants will travel to Fredericksburg, Va., where the matches will be played at the Battleground Tennis Complex on May 28-30.

Agarycheva will enter the NCAA Championships with a 20-3 overall record in singles action this spring. She was 14-1 in the Northwest Conference during the regular season and was chosen NWC Player of the Year. She helped Willamette achieve a 12-9 overall dual match record, including 10-6 (4th place) in the NWC.

"We're excited about Natalia being selected and representing us at nationals," said Willamette Head Coach Becky Roberts. "It's a great accomplishment."

In addition to competing in singles, Agarycheva and doubles partner Shannon Palmer (So., Salem, OR/Sprague HS) have been selected as the second alternate doubles team from the West Region.

Eight singles players from each of the four regions in NCAA Division III were chosen for the championships. Each region also will be represented by four doubles teams. The singles and doubles championships will be held following the team championships.

Brackets will be filled out after the team titles have been determined. Alternates will be used if any individuals or doubles teams are injured or otherwise scratched from the tournament. The team championships will be held May 25-27 in Fredericksburg.

Agarycheva is the first Willamette women's tennis tennis player to be selected to compete at an NCAA Division III national championship event.