McMINNVILLE, Ore. – The Willamette University men's tennis turned in some strong individual performances but dropped a Northwest Conference match 9-0 at Linfield University on Saturday, April 2. Linfield improved to 3-9 overall and claimed its first NWC win to move to 1-4. The Bearcats slipped to 0-5 on the season and 0-3 in the NWC.

Willamette battled in a pair of tight matches in the top two doubles flights. Quentin Nigbur (Jr., Newberg, OR/Newberg HS) and Andrew Kropp (Jr., Bend, OR/Summit HS) suffered an 8-6 setback in the top spot while Trey Allen (Tucson, AZ/BASIC Tucson North HS) and Andre Lief (Anchorage, AK/West Anchorage HS) put up a strong challenge at number two, falling 8-7.

Nigbur fell (6-2, 6-2) in the top singles flight while Kropp looked to rally in the second, dropping a (6-0, 6-4) decision. Isaac Milner slipped past Allen 6-4 in the first set and took the fourth flight 6-2.

The Bearcats played well in the fifth and sixth flights. Douglas Ii (Fy., Kealakekua, HI) went (6-3, 4-6, 11-9) at number five and Jesus Barocio Garibay (So., Salem, OR/McKay HS) dropped the sixth (6-1, 7-6 (6-5)).

Willamette returns to Northwest Conference action on Sunday, hosting Lewis & Clark at 11 a.m. (PDT)