WILLAMETTE 9, GEORGE FOX 0: Tough Season Ends as Bruins Bow to Bearcats in Finale

Box Score

SALEM, Ore. – A difficult 2009 season on the courts came to an end for George Fox University as the visiting Bruins dropped their season finale 9-0 to the Willamette University Bearcats in a Northwest Conference men’s tennis match Saturday here at the WU tennis courts.

In the doubles play that opened the day, the Bruins gave the Bearcats their strongest challenge in the No. 1 position as Stefan Lagielski and Nick Jenness pushed Cody Ferguson and Matthew Houser to the limit before falling 8-6.  Willamette had an easier road in the other doubles as Andrew Murakami and Micah Mack blanked Scott Barnett and Ross Budreau 8-0 at No. 2, and Alex Sepenzis and Michael Moore cruised past Garrett Thompson and Scott Porter 8-1 at No. 3.

In singles, the Bruins were only able to earn split sets in the No. 2 match, Murakami eventually edging Lagielski 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (10-8).  The Bearcats swept the five remaining matches as Ferguson knocked off Barnett 6-4, 6-1 at No. 1; Houser handled Jenness 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3; Sepenzis subdued Budreau 6-4, 6-2 at No. 4; Mack swept Thompson 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5; and Moore did the same to Porter 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6.

George Fox ended with a 1-16 overall record and a 0-16 slate in the conference, finishing in ninth place.  Willamette (7-7, NWC 7-7), which tightened its grip on fifth in the league standings, hosts Pacific University Friday at 3:00 p.m.