NEWBERG, Ore. - Led by outgoing seniors Justin McClain, Preston Mann, and Andy Tweet, the George Fox University Bruins made their final home match of the season a winning one with an 8-1 victory over the visiting Willamette University Bearcats in Northwest Conference men's tennis action Friday here at the GFU campus courts.

In doubles, McClain teamed with Chris Lilley for an 8-0 win over the Bearcats' Sam Wexman and Shrujan Kalidindi at No. 1, Mann joined Chace Stalcup for an 8-3 triumph over Gunnar Lee and Jack Schreiber at No. 2, and Nick Grafton and Mitchell Miyashiro out-lasted Blake Brash and Will Cooper 9-8 (7-4) at No. 3.

In singles, McClain and Tweet both swept their matches, but Mann won a marathon that was the last match to finish.  McClain waxed Wexman 7-5, 6-2 at No. 1, and Tweet took out Kalidindi 6-0, 6-3 at No. 6. 

At No. 3, Mann and Schreiber simply would not let each other get away.  Mann took the first set 7-6 (11-9), and actually had a chance at match point up 6-5 in the second set, but could not get the clincher as Schreiber hung on for a 7-6 (7-3) win to even it up.  With the overall match long decided, the two went to a tiebreaker in the third set, with Mann finally surviving 10-7.

At No. 2 singles, Lilley beat Cooper 6-3 in the first set, and the second was tied 5-5 when the Willamette player suffered an injury and had to retire.  Miyashiro notched the Bruins' final win at No. 5 with a 6-2, 6-3 decision over Lee.  The Bearcats' lone win came at No. 4 as Brash edged Stalcup 7-5, 6-4.

George Fox, ranked 12th in the NCAA Division III West Region, improved to 9-3 overall and 7-2 in the conference.  Willamette dropped to 2-11 overall and 2-7 in the NWC.

NEXT: George Fox goes to Pacific University (11-3, NWC 8-1) Tuesday for a 4:00 p.m. match that could go a long way in determining second place in the conference standings.  The Boxers are currently a game ahead of the Bruins for the second spot … Willamette hosts Pacific Sunday at 1:00 p.m.