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

SALEM, ORE. -- Whitman College won four of six singles matches on its way to defeating Willamette University, 6-3, in a Northwest Conference match at the WU Tennis Courts. Whitman upped its record to 5-3 overall, including 5-2 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 6-3 overall, 6-3 in the NWC.

Although Whitman won the overall match it was Natalia Agarycheva (Jr., Vancouver, WA/Prairie HS/U. of Northern Colorado) of Willamette who prevailed at #1 singles. Agarycheva rallied from one set down to defeat Alyssa Roberg, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Willamette also won #2 doubles, as Fabi Dieguez (Jr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS/Oregon State Univ.) and Alyssa Morrison (Sr., Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS) downed Divneet Kaur and Emily Rolston, 8-3. Dieguez recorded an additional win at #5 singles, as she defeated Emily Rolston, 6-1, 6-4.

The other two doubles matches were narrow victories for Whitman. At #1 doubles, Roberg and Elise Otto edged out Agarycheva and Shannon Palmer (So., Salem, OR/Sprague HS), 8-6. At #3 doubles, Hadley DeBree and Kate Kunkel-Patterson slipped by Katie Huber (Fr., St. Peter, MN/St. Peter HS) and Jamie Slonaker (Jr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS), 9-8 (7-4).

DeBree also claimed a close win at #3 singles for the Missionaries. She outlasted Huber, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1. Whitman won #2, #4 and #6 singles in straight sets.

Willamette's next match is slated for Friday, March 12 at George Fox University. Match time in Newberg, Ore., is at 3 p.m. (PST).

Saturday, March 6
At WU Tennis Courts, Salem, Ore.

Whitman College 6, Willamette University 3

Singles
#1 - Natalia Agarycheva (WU) defeated Alyssa Roberg (WTMN), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
#2 - Elise Otto (WTMN) defeated Shannon Palmer (WU), 6-4, 6-2
#3 - Hadley DeBree (WTMN) defeated Katie Huber (WU), 7-5, 3-6, 6-1
#4 - Divneet Kaur (WTMN) defeated Alyssa Morrison (WU), 6-2, 6-1
#5 - Fabi Dieguez (WU) defeated Emily Rolston (WTMN), 6-1, 6-4
#6 - Kate Kunkel-Patterson (WTMN) defeated Jamie Slonaker (WU), 6-4, 6-3

Doubles
#1 - Roberg and Otto (WTMN) defeated Agarycheva and Palmer (WU), 8-6
#2 - Dieguez and Morrison (WU) defeated Kaur and Rolston (WTMN), 8-3
#3 - DeBree and Kunkel-Patterson (WTMN) defeated Huber and Slonaker (WU), 9-8 (7-4)

Records:
Whitman College is 5-3 overall, 5-2 NWC. Willamette University is 6-3 overall, 6-3 NWC.