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

SALEM, ORE. -- Whitworth University won three close doubles matches and then went on to down Willamette University, 8-1, in Northwest Conference men's tennis action on Friday, Feb. 21 at the Courthouse Tennis Center. Whitworth moved to 1-2 on the season, 1-0 in the NWC, while the Bearcats fell to 0-3 overall, 0-1 in the NWC.

At #1 doubles, Drew Brigham and Shane Sandlin outscored Devin Abney (Jr., Shoreline, WA/Shorecrest HS/Univ. of Redlands) and Will Cooper (Sr., Gresham, OR/Centennial HS) of Willamette, 8-5.

The #2 doubles match was even closer, as Blake Miller and Troy Patterson edged out Willamette's Sam Wexman (So., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS) and Gunnar Lee (So., Hilo, HI/St. Joseph HS) , 8-6. Just two wins separates the competitors at #3 doubles as well, with John Talbot and Matt Goebel from Whitworth narrowly defeating Shrujan Kalidindi (So., Cupertino, CA/Monta Vista HS) and Blake Brash (So., Boise, ID/Boise HS), 9-7.

Bolstered by the sweep in doubles, the Pirates won five of the six singles matches, including two battles decided in a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set.

Brigham and Wexman played a close match at #1 singles before Brigham claimed a 6-3, 6-3 victory for the Pirates. At #2 singles, Chris Engelmann of Whitworth earned the win over Abney, 6-3, 6-2.

The closest match in singles was played at the #3 position, where Talbot outlasted Cooper. The match featured a regular tie-breaker in the first set, plus a super tie-breaker after the first two sets were split. Talbot prevailed, 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 10-7.

Jeff Schreiber (Jr., Solana Beach, CA/The Grauer School) registered a victory for Willamette at #4 singles, as he downed Miller, 6-3, 6-2.

Whitworth won #5 and #6 singles, with Sandlin winning at #5 and Patterson winning at #6. Sandlin's triumphed in a tight match versus Brash that ended with a super tie-breaker , 6-2, 2-6, 10-6.

The Bearcats will play at the Courthouse Tennis Center again on Saturday (Feb. 22). Match time against Whitman College is slated for 1 p.m. (PST).