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

FRESNO, CALIF. -- Fresno State University from NCAA Division I quickly won #2 and #3 doubles to clinch the doubles point, and then earned victories in all six singles matches, as the Bulldogs defeated Willamette University, 7-0, in men's tennis on Sunday, March 24. Fresno State improved to 5-12 on the season. The Bearcats, who compete in NCAA Division III, fell to 5-7 overall.

The match was played using the 7-point scoring system of NCAA Division I, in which the first squad to win two doubles matches receives one point toward the overall team victory. In addition, each singles match was worth one point.

Felipe Fritz and Nikolas Papic of Fresno State defeated Will Cooper (Jr., Gresham, OR/Centennial HS) and Devin Abney (So., Shoreline, WA/Shorecrest HS/Univ. of Redlands) at #2 doubles, 8-0. Sam MacNeil and Jeremy Quiroz downed Gunnar Lee (Fr., Hilo, HI/St. Joseph HS) and Shrujan Kalidindi (Fr., Cupertino, CA/Monta Vista HS) at #3 doubles, 8-0.

As soon as FSU completed its wins at #2 and #3 doubles, the Bulldogs earned the doubles point and the #1 doubles match was stopped. Reid deLaubenfels and Sai Kartik Nakireddi of FSU were leading Joshua Wong (Sr., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS) and Sam Wexman (Fr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS), 7-1, when doubles ended.

The Bulldogs won all six singles matches in straight sets. Wong at #1 singles and Jack Schreiber (So., Solana Beach, CA/The Grauer School) at #5 singles provided the top battles for Willamette. At #1 singles, deLaubenfels outscored Wong, 6-2, 6-3. At #5 singles, MacNeil held off Schreiber in a close first set before winning the match, 6-4, 6-1.

Willamette will continue its Spring Break trip with a match against the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater from NCAA Division III on Tuesday, March 26. The teams will play in Claremont, Calif., starting at 11 a.m. (PDT).