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

SPOKANE, WASH. -- Whitworth University won two of three doubles matches to gain an early edge and the Pirates went on to defeat Willamette University, 5-4, in a Northwest Conference men's tennis match at the Scotford Tennis Center. Whitworth split the season series with Willamette by avenging a 5-4 loss to the Bearcats in Salem, Ore., on Feb. 13.

The Pirates upped their record to 8-5 overall, 8-4 in the NWC. Willamette dropped to 5-3 overall, 5-3 in the NWC.

Whitworth and Willamette split the singles matches, with the Pirates taking #1, #5 and #6, while the Bearcats prevailed at #2, #3 and #4. Colin Barrett provided the winning team point for Whitworth at #6 singles, when he defeated Michael Moore of Willamette in three sets, 6-0, 4-6, 6-2.

The top position in singles was won by Michael Shelton of Whitworth. He won two close sets over Cody Feguson (Fr., North Bend, OR/North Bend HS/Western Oregon Univ.), 6-4, 7-5.

Andrew Murakami (Sr., Wahiawa, HI/Leilehua HS/Univ. of Redlands) of Willamette downed Joe Wales at #2 singles, 6-4, 6-3. Matt Houser (So., Vancouver, WA/Evergreen HS) tacked on a win for the 'Cats at #3 singles, as he held off a challenge from Colin Zalewski of Whitworth in the second set for a 6-1, 7-5 result. At #4 singles, Alex Sepenzis (Sr., Denver, CO/Cherry Creek HS) of Willamette won against Henry Williams, 6-2, 6-1.

Kellen Oetgen of Whitworth earned a victory for the Pirates at #5 singles. He defeated Micah Mack (Jr., Wenatchee,WA/Wenatchee HS), 6-2, 6-3.

Whitworth gained its first two wins at the #1 and #3 doubles positions. Shelton and Wales won #1 doubles over Ferguson and Mack, 8-4. At #3 doubles, Barrett and Oeggen defeated Sepenzis and Jordan Helvie (So., Boise, ID/Bishop Kelly HS), 8-1. Willamette's victory at #2 doubles was achieved by Murakami and Houser over Zalewski and Williams, 8-3.

March 13, 2009
At Scotford Tennis Center, Spokane, Wash.

Singles
#1 - Michael Shelton (WHTW) defeated Cody Ferguson (WU), 6-4, 7-5
#2 - Andrew Murakami (WU) defeated Joe Wales (WHTW), 6-4, 6-3
#3 - Matt Houser (WU) defeated Colin Zalewski (WHTW), 6-1,7-5
#4 - Alex Sepenzis (WU) defeated Henry Williams (WHTW), 6-2, 6-1
#5 - Kellen Oetgen (WHTW) defeated Micah Mack (WU), 6-2, 6-3
#6 - Colin Barrett (WHTW) defeated Michael Moore (WU), 6-0, 4-6, 6-2

Doubles
#1 - Shelton and Wales (WHTW) defeated Ferguson and Mack (WU), 8-4
#2 - Murakami and Houser (WU) defeated Zalewski and Williams (WHTW), 8-3
#3 - Barrett and Oetgen (WHTW) defeated Moore and Jordan Helvie (WU), 8-1

Records:
Whitworth University is 8-5 overall, 8-4 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette University is 5-3 overall, 5-3 in the NWC.