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

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Natalia Agarycheva (Sr., Vancouver, WA/Univ. of Northern Colo.) of Willamette University defeated Abby Olbrich of Linfield College, 7-5, 6-4, in the singles final of the USTA/ITA Women's Tennis Small College Northwest Regional on Monday, Sept. 27 at Whitman College. Agarycheva reached the final round by defeating Alyssa Roberg of Whitman, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) in the semifinals earlier on Monday.

By winning the regional title, Agarycheva has qualified for the USTA/ITA Small College National Championships. The national tournament will be held in Mobile, Ala., starting on Oct. 14 and ending on Oct. 17.

"Natalia played very well this weekend," said Head Coach Becky Roberts. "Not only did Natalia play well but I felt we played great as a team overall. We are excited for Natalia to participate in Nationals."

In addition to winning the singles championship, Agarycheva also made it to the semifinals in doubles with teammate Fabi Dieguez (Jr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS/Oregon State Univ.).

Agarycheva and Dieguez defeated Erica Bosman and Alli Marshall of Whitworth University, 8-3, in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, the WU team fell to the top-seeded team and eventual champions, Roberg and Elise Otto of Whitman, 8-4.

Dieguez advanced to the Round of 16 in singles before losing to Otto, who was seeded #5. Otto lost to Olbrich in the quarterfinals.

Katie Huber (So., St. Peter, MN/St. Peter HS) of Willamette won the consolation singles bracket. She defeated Sarah Watanabe from Linfield in the consolation finals, 6-1, 6-0. Sabrina Gutierrez (Fr., Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park HS) reached the quarterfinals of the consolation singles for the Bearcats.

In consolation doubles, WU's team of Huber and Emily Bee (Jr., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) reached the finals. Charlotte Scott and Leah Siegel of Whitman downed Huber and Bee, 8-5, in the consolation championship match.