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

TACOMA, WASH. -- Willamette University won all three doubles matches and the top four singles matches to defeat the University of Puget Sound, 7-2, in Northwest Conference action on Friday, March 26 at the UPS Tennis Pavilion. Willamette, ranked #11 in the West Region of NCAA Division III, advanced its record to 8-5 on the season, 8-3 in the NWC. Puget Sound fell to 3-8, all against NWC opponents.

Willamette, playing for the first time since March 14, got off to a solid stat in doubles. At #1 doubles, Cody Ferguson (So., North Bend, OR/North Bend HS/Western Oregon Univ.) and Joshua Wong (Fr., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS) downed Mike Cutter and Nick Kelley, 8-5. The Bearcats lost just two games each at #2 and #3 doubles.

Michael Baumgartner (Fr., Albany, OR/West Albany HS) of Willamette, ranked #16 in the West Region in singles, won the #1 singles match over Sam Finkleman, 6-3, 7-5. Wong took the #2 singles match, 6-2, 6-1, over Cutter, while Ferguson was victorious at #3 singles over Kelley, 6-2, 6-0. Wong improved to 10-3 in singles this season.

Mathew Houser (Jr., Vancouver, WA/Evergreen HS) completed WU's top four sweep by defeating Alex Harrison at #4 singles. Houser claimed the match in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.

The Loggers registered their only wins at #5 and #6 singles. Scooter Sable won #5 singles and Ben Miller triumphed at #6 singles.

Willamette will return to Salem, Ore., to host Lewis & Clark College in NWC action on Sunday, March 28. Match time at the Willamette University Tennis Courts is set for 1 p.m. (PDT).

Friday, March 26
At UPS Tennis Pavilion, Tacoma, Wash.

Willamette University 7, University of Puget Sound 2

Singles
#1 - Michael Baumgartner (WU) defeated Sam Finkleman (UPS), 6-3, 7-5
#2 - Joshua Wong (WU) defeated Mike Cutter (UPS), 6-2, 6-1
#3 - Cody Ferguson (WU) defeated Nick Kelley (UPS), 6-2, 6-0
#4 - Matthew Houser (WU) defeated Alex Harrison (UPS), 6-1, 6-2
#5 - Scooter Sabel (UPS) defeated Luke Lagattuta (WU), 6-2, 6-1
#6 - Ben Miller (UPS) defeated Micah Mack (WU), 6-4, 6-4

Doubles
#1 - Ferguson and Wong (WU) defeated Cutter and Kelley (UPS), 8-5
#2 - Mack and Houser (WU) defeated Finkleman and Harrison (UPS), 8-2
#3 - Baumgartner and Lagattuta (WU) defeated Sabel and Andrew Timmons (UPS), 8-2

Records:
Willamette University is 8-5 overall, 8-3 NWC. University of Puget Sound is 3-8 overall, 3-8 NWC.