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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University men's tennis team will start the 2015 spring season on Friday, Jan. 23, when the Bearcats host Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) at the Courthouse Tennis Center at 1379 Madison St. NE in Salem. Match time is 4 p.m. (PST). Willamette competes in NCAA Division III, while Lewis-Clark State is a member of the NAIA.

Willamette's #1 singles player remains Sam Wexman (Jr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS). Wexman earned Northwest Conference victories last season against University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran and Linfield. He competed at #1 or #2 doubles throughout the 2013-14 season.

Moving up to the #2 singles position will be Jack Schreiber (Sr., Solana Beach, CA/The Grauer School) who played mostly #3 and #4 singles last spring. Schreiber, one of two seniors on the team, was 5-7 last spring in singles matches. Derek Crain (Sr./Fr., Port Angeles, WA/Port Angeles HS) also is a senior, but is competing on the men's tennis team for the first time.

Wexman is one of four juniors on the Willamette roster. Other juniors are Gunnar Lee (Jr., Hilo, HI/St. Joseph HS), Blake Brash (Jr., Boise, ID/Boise HS) and Shrujan Kalidindi (Jr., Cupertino, CA/Monta Vista HS).

The Bearcats also have five freshmen. Leading the group of freshmen is Jacob Blaisdell (Fr., Honolulu, HI/Punahou School), who was Willamette's #3 entry at the ITA Northwest Regional this past fall.

Lewis-Clark State also will open its spring schedule on Friday. The Warriors have no seniors, but Andres Bustani, Zhanbolat Zhakupov and Michael Zitterkopf are juniors. Sophomores are Anthony Croteau and Jeff Su. Freshmen for LCSC are Tony Chin and Yonas Gebre Woldetsadik.

After Friday's match, the Bearcats will not compete again until Sunday, March 1, when they will host Lewis & Clark College (Ore.) in Northwest Conference action. Match time against the Pioneers is set for 11 a.m. (PST) at the Willamette University Tennis Courts.