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

SALEM, ORE. -- Led by a victory from Sam Stadter at #1 singles, the visiting Pacific Lutheran University men's tennis team defeated Willamette University, 6-3, in a Northwest Conference match on Saturday, March 7 at the WU Tennis Courts. PLU won two of three doubles matches, before adding victories at #1, #4, #5 and #6 singles.

With the win, Pacific Lutheran improved to 2-4 overall, 2-3 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 1-3 on the season and to 1-2 in the NWC.

Stadter defeated Blake Brash (Jr., Boise, ID/Boise HS) of Willamette in the #1 singles match, 6-1, 6-0. Stadter also teamed up with Jame Okubo to win #1 doubles over Gunnar Lee (Jr., Hilo, HI/St. Joseph HS) and Jacob Blaisdell (Fr., Honolulu, HI/Punahou School), 8-5.

The Lutes also gained a win at #3 doubles when Noel Oteng-Mensah and Jeremy Marsh outscored Samuel Rowe (Fr., Andover, MA/Andover HS) and Derek Crain (Sr./Fr., Port Angeles, WA/Port Angeles HS), 8-3.

Willamette received a pair of wins from Sam Wexman (Jr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS). He moved past Oteng-Mensah at #2 singles, 6-4, 6-1, after working with Brash for an 8-3 win over Sam Angel and Chris Erkkila at #2 doubles.

Lee recorded a victory for Willamette at #3 singles, as he claimed the first and third sets in a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win over Okubo.

The Lutes secured the overall win by achieving triumphs at the bottom three singles positions. At #4 singles, Angel held off Blaisdell, 6-4, 6-3. Marsh earned the win at #5 singles, 6-2, 6-2, over Rowe. Erkkila won the first set 6-0 at #6 singles, before fending off Jesse Mackinney (Fr., Arcata, CA/Northcoast Prep. & Performing Arts Acad.) in the second set, 6-4.

Up next for the Bearcats is an NWC match at Linfield College on Saturday, March 14. The Bearcats and the Wildcats are scheduled to start playing at 1 p.m. (PDT).