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

BEAVERTON, ORE. -- Willamette University tennis player Joshua Wong (Sr., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS) earned a victory in the semifinals before losing to Colton Malesovas of Whitman College in the final match of the singles bracket at the USTA/ITA Northwest Small College Championships on Monday, Sept. 24 at the Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation Tennis Center.

Wong, seeded #2, defeated Andy Riggs of Whitman College, seeded #4, in the semifinals, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. Malesovas, tied for the #13 seed, moved past Giancarlo Battaglia, seeded #7, in the other semifinal match, 6-4, 3-6, 6-0.

Malesovas held off Wong, 6-4, 7-5, in the singles final to win the tournament title and earn a berth in the USTA/ITA Small College National Championships later this fall. Malesovas ousted the #1 seed at the Northwest Championships, Andrew La Cava of Whitman, in the quarterfinals.

Although Riggs lost to Wong in the semifinals of singles, he reached the championship match in doubles. Riggs and Matt Tesmond faced fellow Whitman teammates La Cava and James Rivers in the doubles final. La Cava and Rivers prevailed, 6-0, 6-2, and will represent the Northwest Region at the National Championships.