Willamette Defeats George Fox to Finish Eighth in Conference

Salem - Although George Fox University will be the host institution for the Northwest Conference men's and women's tennis tournaments Apr. 16-17 in Yakima, Wash., the Bruin men's team will not be playing in it after dropping the tournament play-in match 4-2 to the Willamette University Bearcats Tuesday afternoon.

The Bearcats finished 8th and the Bruins 9th in the regular season, but only eight teams go to the tournament, so the bottom two clubs usually play off to see which team gets to go. Willamette earned its way there by taking four of the six singles matches that were played before the doubles in case of inclement weather. The doubles matches were cancelled since the match had already been decided.

The Bearcats got victories by Matt McManus over Matt Leininger at #1, Garrett Nakamatsu over Kyle Pearson at #2, Jeff Hancock over Chris Selid at #5, and Josh Barnett over Bryan Gray at #6. Bruin wins came from their two seniors, Derek Dougherty over Andy Frey at #3, and Yu Shoji over Jeff Garrison at #4.

George Fox ends its season at 1-13, while Willamette advances to the NWC Tournament with a 2-8 record. Pairings for the first round of both the men's and women's tournaments will be announced following the NWC coaches' meeting Thursday evening in Yakima.

Singles

#1 - Matt McManus (W) d. Matt Leininger (GF) 7-5, 4-6, 6-2

#2 - Garrett Nakamatsu (W) d. Kyle Pearson (GF) 6-2, 7-5

#3 - Derek Dougherty (GF) d. Andy Frey (W) 6-1, 6-0

#4 - Yu Shoji (GF) d. Jeff Garrison (W) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

#5 - Jeff Hancock (W) d. Chris Selid (GF) 6-1, 6-2

#6 - Josh Barnett (W) d. Bryan Gray (GF) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

Did not play as match already decided

Records: Willamette (2-8), George Fox (1-13)