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

SALEM, ORE. -- Whitman College, ranked #19 in the nation in NCAA Division III, defeated Willamette University, 9-0, in Northwest Conference men's tennis action on Monday, Feb. 21 at the Courthouse Tennis Club. The Missionaries upped their season record to 3-2, including 3-0 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 1-1 overall, 1-1 in the conference.

Last spring, Whitman won the NWC Championship in the regular season and defeated Willamette in the finals of the NWC Tournament, 5-1. The Missionaries have won three consecutive NWC titles.

At #1 doubles, Conor Holton-Burke and Andrew La Cava of Whitman defeated Willamette's team of Cody Ferguson (Jr., North Bend, OR/North Bend HS/Western Oregon Univ.) and Michael Baumgartner (So., Albany, OR/West Albany HS), 8-2. Etienne Moshevich and Jeff Tolman of Whitman won #2 doubles. Quin Miller and Matt Tesmond earned a win for the Missionaries at #3 doubles.

The #1 singles match was won by Holton-Burke as he defeated Ferguson, 6-1, 6-2. La Cava downed Wong at #2 singles, 6-4, 6-2.

Moshevich and Baumgartner played the closest match of the day at #3 singles. Moshevich edged out Baumgartner in both sets by identical 6-4 margins.

Willamette will return to action on Friday, Feb. 25, when the Bearcats will host Lewis & Clark College. Match time at he Courthouse Tennis Club is set for 7 p.m. (PST).