By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Linfield College defeated Willamette University, 8-1, in a non-conference men's tennis match played indoors on Sunday, Oct. 7 at Rutschman Fieldhouse. Andrew Kabacy (Fr., Vancouver, WA/Skyview HS) of Willamette earned the only win for the Bearcats by outlasting Luis Rojas in a super tie-breaker at #1 singles. The overall victory improved Linfield to 1-0, while Willamette fell to 0-3.

Kabacy won the first set 6-2, but Rojas answered with a 6-3 win in the second set. Kabacy prevailed in the super tie-breaker played instead of a third set, 10-5.

The meeting between the Bearcats and the Wildcats began with the doubles competition. Linfield gained significant momentum by winning all three doubles matches, including two by narrow margins.

At #1 doubles, Linfield's team of Nathan Saragoza and Rojas downed Kabacy and Aaron Schechter (Sr., Seattle, WA/James A. Garfield HS) of Willamette in a tie-breaker, 8-7 (8-6). Using new scoring rules for a pro-set, the match advanced to the tie-breaker following a 7-7 tie, rather than at 8-8.

Trent Prussing and Eric Rutherford won #2 doubles for the Wildcats by outscoring Gene Perle-Jones (Jr., Eugene, OR/North Eugene HS) and Colin Fisher (Jr., Caldwell, ID/Thomas Jefferson Charter School) of WU, 8-6. In the #3 doubles match, Jacob Mangan and Cameron Ventura downed Luke Hiserman (So., Monterey, CA/Pacific Grove HS) and Charles Pezeshki (Fr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS), 8-1.

"We started out competitive in doubles, but just couldn't finish with wins at #1 and #2," Willamette Head Coach Rick Woods said. "That took a little wind out of us, but I'm happy we had a few matches this fall. The team plans on working hard in the offseason and and be ready for the spring season."

Linfield won the #2 through #5 singles matches. Saragoza defeated Perle-Jones at #2 singles, 6-0, 6-1. Prussing was challenged by Fisher at #3 singles before Prussing claimed a 6-2, 6-4 win. At #4 singles, J.T. Barcellos moved past Schechter in a pair of competitive sets, 6-4, 6-3. Also winning for the Wildcats were Rutherford at #5 singles and Mangan at #6 singles.

The match concluded Willamette's fall schedule. The Bearcats will return to action during the spring semester.

Big Moment of the Match for Willamette

Andrew Kabacy of Willamette took the first set and
Luis Rojas of Linfield won the second set, sending their
#1 singles match into a decisive super tie-breaker.
Kabacy trailed by a mini-break early in the tie-breaker,
but countered with six or seven consecutive points,
and then earned return winners to close out the match.
Kabacy won the super tie-breaker 10-5.