By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

McMINNVILLE, Ore. – The Willamette University men's tennis team opened Northwest Conference play on the road at Linfield University on Saturday, March 2. The Bearcats had some competitive matches, but would fall to the Wildcats, 9-0.

In one of the best matches of the day, Andrew Kabacy (Gr., Vancouver, WA/Skyview HS) and Quentin Nigbur (Sr., Newberg, OR/Newberg) went the distance before suffering an 8-7 setback in the top singles flight. The duo battled in the tie-breaker, but came up short, 8-6.

Kabacy had a strong showing in number one singles, pushing that match to a tie-breaker as well. Seth Lee won the first set, 6-0, before Kabacy responded to even the match with a 7-5 decision. Lee went 10-6 to earn the point. Lee and partner Rogue Stone moved to 4-1 in doubles matches.

AJ Avansino (So., Reno, NV/Reno HS) and Zack Olander (Fy., Bend, OR/Summitt HS) teamed up in the second doubles flight while Andre Lief (Jr., Anchorage, AK/West Anchorage HS) and Luca Casano (Honolulu, HI/Punahou HS) played at number three. Both suffered 8-3 setbacks as Linfield jumped out to a 3-0 start.

Avansino looked to rally in the second set of third singles, but dropped the match (6-0, 6-4). Trey Allen (Jr., Tucson, AZ/BASIS Tucson North HS) also had a strong second set, but couldn't get past Cody Pickar (6-1, 6-4).

Linfield improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the NWC. The Bearcats slip to 0-6 and 0-1 on the year. Willamette returns to NWC action tomorrow, hosting Lewis & Clark at 11 a.m. PST.