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

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Whitworth University defeated Willamette University 8-1 in Northwest Conference men's tennis action on Sunday, April 12 at the Scotford Tennis Center. With the victory, the Pirates improved to 4-10 on the season, 4-6 in the NWC. Willamette slipped to 3-12 overall, 3-6 in the NWC.

The Bearcats competed without talented player Sam Wexman (Jr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS) due to injury. Wexman has played in just eight of Willamette's 15 matches this spring.

Whitworth gained a 3-0 lead in doubles. The Pirates' team of Drew Brigham and Shane Sandlin outscored Jack Schreiber (Sr., Solana Beach, CA/The Grauer School) and Gunnar Lee (Jr., Hilo, HI/St. Joseph HS) at #1 doubles, 8-3.

Drew Adams and Caleb Hughes won for Whitworth 8-3 over Shrujan Kalidindi (Jr., Cupertino, CA/Monta Vista HS) and Derek Lund (Fr., Helena, MT/Capital HS) at #2 doubles. In he #3 doubles match-up, Matt Goebel and Blake Miller downed Blake Brash (Jr., Boise, ID/Boise HS) and Samuel Rowe (Fr., Andover, MA/Andover HS), 8-1.

Two of the six singles matches featured split sets and were decided by super tie-breakers. At #2 singles, Miller rallied past Schreiber, 4-6, 6-3, 10-2. The Bearcats recorded their lone win at #3 singles, as Brash triumphed over Adams in the first set as well as the super tie-breaker for a 6-1, 4-6, 10-7 victory.

Brigham took the #1 singles match with a 6-1, 6-2 win against Lee. Also winning for the Pirates were Caleb Hughes at #4 singles, Jeffrey Vulis at #5 singles and Ryan Adams at #6 singles.

Willamette will return to action on Tuesday, April 14 with a home match against nearby rival Linfield College. Match time is set for 4 p.m. (PDT) at the WU Tennis Courts.