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

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University, ranked #11 in the West Region of NCAA Division III, improved to 7-1 in the Northwest Conference by defeating Lewis & Clark College, 8-1, on Saturday, March 26 at the LC Tennis Dome. The Bearcats moved to 8-5 on the season. Lewis & Clark dropped to 0-8 in the NWC and to 0-12 overall.

The Bearcats swept through the doubles matches. In the top doubles match, Willamette received a win from Michael Baumgartner (So., Albany, OR/West Albany HS) and Matthew Houser (Sr., Vancouver, WA/Evergreen HS) as they defeated George Allen and Quinn Roth-Carter, 8-2.

Willamette extended its lead with five straight-set wins in singles. WU narrowly missed a 9-0 overall victory when Allen of L&C slipped past Baumgartner at #1 singles in a super tie-breaker after splitting the first two sets. Allen won the close match, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 11-9.

For the Bearcats, Will Cooper (Fr., Gresham, OR/Centennial HS) won #2 singles against Roth-Carter, 6-3, 6-4 and Garrett Vincent (Fr., Seattle, WA/Seattle Prep/Bellevue CC) took #3 singles, 6-1, 6-1, over Kerry White. Also winning singles matches for Willamette were Zach Hutchinson (Sr., Casper, WY/Kelly Walsh HS) at #4 singles, Will Agnew-Svoboda (Fr., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) at #5 singles and Daniel McClellan (Sr., Lakewood, WA/Lakes HS).

After playing a total of six matches during Spring Break, Willamette will not play again until Friday, April 1 against Pacific University. The NWC match-up between the Bearcats and the Boxers is set for 4 p.m. (PDT) at the WU Tennis Courts.