By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

YAKIMA, WASH. -- Andrew Murakami (Sr., Wahiawa, HI/Leilehua HS/Univ. of Redlands) of Willamette University defeated Kyle Anderson of Linfield College in a super tie-breaker, at #1 singles, 7-5, 4-6, 10-6, but the Bearcats fell to the Wildcats, 6-3, in the third place match of the NWC Men's Tennis Tournament on Saturday, April 18 at the Yakima Tennis Center. Linfield improved to 16-7. Willamette ended its dual match schedule with a 10-9 record.

Willamette also won the top two doubles matches. Cody Ferguson (Fr., North Bend, OR/North Bend HS/Western Oregon Univ.) and Matt Houser (So., Vancouver, WA/Evergreen HS) downed Brent Kingzett and Walt James at #1 doubles, 8-3. Murakami and Micah Mack (Jr., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) held off Mark Magdaong and Ward Van Mens in #2 doubles, 8-5.

With Willamette taking the top positions in both singles and doubles, Linfield had to win nearly all of the remaining matches to claim the win. The Wildcats were able to sweep the #2 through #6 singles flights and also won at #3 doubles.

Van Mens of Linfield needed a tie-breaker in the first set before defeating Ferguson, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2. The closest match in singles was at the #5 position, where Linfield's Tal DeWitt edged out Mack of Willamette in a third-set tie-breaker, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2).

With his win at the #1 position, Murakami improved to 12-6 on the season. Ferguson and Houser upped their doubles record to 7-1, while Murakami and Mack raised their mark to 6-2.

The Bearcats will conclude the season at the Ojai Tournament in Ojai, Calif., on April 23-26. Action is scheduled throughout the day during the prestigious college tennis event.