By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Quentin Nigbur (Jr., Newberg, OR/Newberg HS) of Willamette University and Jonathan Hutley from Whitworth University competed in a very close match at #1 singles in men's tennis action at the Scotford Tennis Center on Friday, April 15. Nigbur won the first set, 6-3, and Hutley took the second set, 6-3. The players proceeded into a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set. Hutley won the tie-breaker 10-8.

Whitworth downed Willamette 9-0 in the final team score. The Pirates moved to 4-14 on the season, 4-3 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette ended the match at 0-9 overall, 0-7 in the NWC.

Nigbur also participated in a close match at #1 doubles along with teammate Andrew Kropp (Jr., Bend, OR/Summit HS). Ethan Violette and Nathan Tjelle of Whitworth outscored Nigbur and Kropp, 8-5. At #2 doubles, Whitworth's team of Payton Romey and Cameron Brewer defeated Andre Lief (Fy., Anchorage, AK/West Anchorage HS) and Trey Allen (Fy., Tucson, AZ/BASIS Tucson North HS), 8-4. The Pirates won #3 doubles by default.

In singles, the Pirates won four matches in straight sets. Even so, the second set at #5 singles was very tight, with Levi Garza holding off Allen of Willamette, 7-5. Garza won the first set, 6-1. In addition to Hutley and Garza, other Whitworth players who earned singled wins were Romey at #2, Tjelle at #3, and Brewer at #4. Whitworth claimed #6 singles by default.

Willamette will play at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, on Saturday, April 16. Match time is set for 11 a.m. (PDT).