By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Andrew Kabacy (Sr., Vancouver, WA/Skyview HS) was victorious at #1 singles for Willamette University against Linfield University on Sunday, Sept. 26, but the Wildcats won the remaining matches to defeat the Bearcats, 8-1, in a non-conference men's tennis match at the Linfield Tennis Center. The Wildcats improved to 1-0 on the season, while Willamette fell to 0-1.

Kabacy defeated Linfield's Nick Gabelman 6-4, 6-1 in the #1 singles match. Rogue Stone won for the Wildcats at #2 singles, as he downed Andrew Kropp of Willamette, 6-2, 6-2.

Linfield claimed close victories at #3 and #4 singles. In the #3 match, Matous Young edged out Jordan Megiveron (Jr., Edmonds, WA/Edmonds-Woodway HS), 6-4, 6-4. At #4 singles, Isaac Milner held off Kai Kumra (Jr., Santa Rosa, CA/Cardinal Newman HS), 7-5, 6-3.

The #5 singles match went a full three sets, with Cody Picknar from Linfield defeating Douglas Li (So., Kealakekua, Hawaii) of the Bearcats, 3-6, 6-0, 6-2. Ben O'Loughlin of Linfield downed Andrew Lief (Fy., Anchorage, AK/West Anchorage HS) of WU, 6-2, 6-4.

Linfield won all three doubles matches. In #1 doubles, Gabelman and Stone narrowly defeated Kabacy and Kropp, 8-6. The #2 doubles contest went to Young and Milner over Kumra and Megiveron, 8-3. At #3 doubles, O'Loughlin and Picknar outscored Li and Trey Allen (Fy., Tucson, AZ/BASIA Tucson North HS).

Willamette is scheduled to complete its fall schedule next weekend with matches against the University of Puget Sound on consecutive days. The Bearcats will battle the Loggers on Saturday, Oct. 2 and Sunday, Oct. 3, with both matches starting at 1 p.m. (PDT) in Tacoma, Washington.