By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- George Fox University upped its Northwest Conference record to 6-3 on the season by defeating Willamette University, 9-0, in a men's tennis match at the Courthouse Tennis Center on Saturday, April 8. It was a home match for the Bruins, but they were unable to play on GFU's outdoor courts in Newberg, Oregon, so the match was moved indoors in Salem.

The win also advanced George Fox's overall record to 8-6. Willamette fell to 1-10 overall, 1-8 in the NWC. GFU is ranked #13 in the West Region of NCAA Division III by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).

George Fox won all three doubles matches, but received strong opposition at the #2 doubles position. In that match, Ryan Malinowski and Davin Lee of GFU outscored Willamette's team of Hunter Yee (Fr., Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) and Colin Fisher (Fr., Caldwell, ID/Thomas Jefferson Charter School), 8-5.

At #1 doubles, Spencer Watanabe and Alex Namba of George Fox downed Gunnar Lee (Sr., Hilo, HI/St. Joseph School) and Aaron Schechter, 8-3. At the #3 doubles, Tristen Lerma and Jacob Farmer moved past Derek Lund (Jr., Helena, MT/Capital HS) and Jesse Mackinney (Jr., Arcata, CA/Northcoast Prep and Performing Arts Academy) of WU, 8-2.

The Bruins grabbed straight-set victories throughout the singles competition. Watanabe defeated Lee at #1 singles 6-1, 6-1. Namba downed Schechter in the #2 singles match, 6-1, 6-2.

At #4 singles, Ryan Malinowski won the first set, 6-0, before winning the closest set of the match by holding off Lund in the second set, 6-4. Lerma claimed a 6-2, 6-3 win over Mackinney at #6 doubles. Also winning for the Bruins were Matt Biggi at #3 singles and Farmer at #5 singles.

Willamette will host nearby rival Linfield College on Sunday, April 8. Match time is slated for 12 p.m. (PDT).