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

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University fell behind Lewis & Clark 2-1 in the doubles matches, but responded with five wins in singles, as the Bearcats rallied past the Pioneers, 6-3, in a Northwest Conference men's tennis match at the LC Tennis Dome on Friday, March 2. Willamette evened up its record at 1-1 on the season and 1-1 in the NWC. Lewis & Clark fell to 0-3 overall, 0-3 in the NWC.

Lewis & Clark claimed its early lead by winning #1 and #3 doubles.

In the #1 doubles match, Olivier Groot and Quinn Roth-Carter of L&C defeated Joshua Wong (Jr., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS) and Cody Ferguson (Sr., North Bend, OR/North Bend HS/Western Oregon Univ.), 8-4. At #3 doubles, the L&C team of Carter Gee-Taylor and Lucas Fodor triumphed over Will Cooper (So., Gresham, OR/Centennial HS) and Cameron Thompson (Jr., Torrance, CA/North Torrance HS).

Willamette picked up a point at #2 doubles, as Garrett Vincent (So., Seattle, WA/Seattle Prep/Bellevue CC) moved past Christian Stanbrook and Scott Monismith, 8-4.

The Bearcats excelled in the singles matches, winning the #2 through #6 positions.

Ferguson took the #2 singles match against Gee-Taylor, 6-2, 7-5. Vincent won at #3 singles over Roth-Carter, 6-1, 6-4.

Cooper won in three sets for WU at #4 singles, collecting the first and third sets in a 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Monismith. Devin Abney (Fr., Shoreline, WA/Shorecrest HS/U. of Redlands) easily won #5 singles against Cole Pfeifer in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1. At #6 singles, Will Agnew-Svoboda (So., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) outscored Lucas Fodor, 6-3, 6-1.

Lewis & Clark's lone victory in singles was achieved by Groot, who defeated Wong at the #1 position, 6-3, 6-1.

The Bearcats will play at home on Saturday, March 5 against NWC rival Linfield College. Match time will be 2 p.m. (PST) if the match is played outside on the Willamette University Tennis Courts. The action will begin at 3 p.m. (PST) if weather conditions force the match indoors at the Courthouse Tennis Center (1379 Madison St. NE, Salem, Ore.).

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