WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Christoph Fuchs, a sophomore on the Whitman College men's tennis team, has been named Northwest Conference Player of the Week.
Fuchs, playing his first season of college tennis, won three of his four matches last week as Whitman ended its Spring Break trip to California with a split against Kalamazoo and Bowdoin, two nationally ranked teams. Fuchs and his doubles partner, senior Robbie Munday (Okanogan Falls, B.C.), were winners at No. 2 doubles in both matches.
Whitman, ranked No. 15 nationally, edged No. 13 Kalamazoo 5-4 in a contest that featured close battles in nearly every singles and doubles match. Fuchs, after teaming with Munday for a 9-7 victory at No. 2 doubles, dropped a three-set decision (2-6, 6-4, 6-4) at No. 5 singles. Playing short-handed the next day against No. 16 Bowdoin, Whitman stumbled to a 7-2 loss. Fuchs had a hand in both Whitman points, rolling to a 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 4 singles and joining with Munday for an 8-2 victory at No. 2 doubles.
Fuchs and Monday have won their last six doubles matches, improving their season record to 11-3. That includes a 6-1 mark against NWC opponents.
Fuchs is one of two Whitman tennis players honored by the NWC this week. Maura Flaherty (Salem, Ore.), a senior on the Missionary women's team, was named Player of the Week award for women's tennis.
Fuchs is the third member of the Whitman men's team to receive the NWC weekly award this season. Munday was the previous week's winner, and senior Phalkun Mam (Salem, Ore.) was honored in early March.
As a team, Whitman is off to its best start in two decades. The Missionaries are 18-4 on the season, which includes a 12-0 mark in the NWC.
Whitman plays three NWC matches this weekend. The Missionaries host George Fox at 4 p.m. Friday and Lewis & Clark at 3 p.m. Saturday. With enough players to field two teams, Whitman will send its less experienced squad to Whitworth on Saturday for a 3 p.m. match in Spokane.
The Missionaries conclude their regular season April 14-15 with four matches. Whitman hosts a final home match against NWC foe Pacific on Saturday morning, and hits the road for matches at NCAA Div. I teams Gonzaga, Eastern Washington and Idaho. The NWC Championships are set for April 20-21 in Yakima, Wash.
Dave Holden, Whitman Sports Information, (509) 527-5902
Email: holden@whitman.edu