In the twilight of the evening sun at the VC Tennis Center, Priyank Soni outlasted his opponent in No. 2 singles, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6, allowing the Pirates' men's tennis team to post a hard-fought 5-4 victory over visiting Cypress College on Friday. Soni was a double-winner, teaming up with Adrien Etiemble to win in No. 2 doubles, 8-3. Etiemble was also a double winner, claiming the No. 3 singles slot by a 7-5, 6-3 score.
The Pirates (4-0, 2-0) led 2-1 following doubles play, gaining victories by Soni and Etiemble, and Manu Rowe and Rodrigo Perdigao in the No. 3 match, 8-4.
Rafael Dunan followed up his golden set on Thursday with an easy 6-1, 6-0 victory in No. 5 singles. The Chargers were able to tie the match with wins in Nos. 1, 4 and 6 singles, but Soni recorded the match-winner for the Pirates.
Ventura will next host De Anza College on Friday Feb. 16 at Pierpont Racquet Club beginning at 4:00 pm.
Doubles
1. Cherqui/Dunan (VC) lost to Hagen/Wennerholm (CC), 8-6
2. Soni/Etiemble (VC) def. De Wilder/Remmerswaal (CC), 8-3
3. Manu Rowe/Rodrigo Perdigao (VC) def. Simon/Thomas Davies (CC), 8-4
Singles
1. Solal Cherqui (VC) lost to Alex Hagon (CC), 6-4, 6-2
2. Priyank Soni (VC) def. Johan Wennerholm (CC), 7-5, 2-6, 7-6
3. Adrien Etiemble (VC) def. Jan Simon (CC), 7-5, 6-3
4. Augustin Lestelle (VC) lost to Ingmar Remmerswaal (CC), 7-5, 6-3
5. Rafael Dunan (VC) def. Giovanni Fragalle (CC), 6-1, 6-0
6. Alexander Martin (VC) lost to Gertjan De Wilder (CC), 7-5, 6-2