The VC men's team played up on Wednesday, taking a 6-1 decision at Hope International University, a four-year NAIA program in Fullerton. Rafael Matias and Lucas Abreau, along with Robinson Pelluault and Edgar Ploquin each won their doubles matches to earn the first point for the Pirates and also each earned singles points in the victory.
Playing under four-year rules, VC was able to earn the first point of the match by taking two of three doubles contests against the Royals. Matias and Abreau won in the No. 1 doubles match 6-3 and Pelluault and Ploquin posted a 6-3 win at No. 3.
In singles play, Cody Ray Emery won his No. 1 slot, 6-1, 6-4 and Matias defeated Ventura alumnus Yuya Koide, 6-3, 6-1 at No. 2. Abreau produced a hard fought 7-5, 5-7 (10-7) triumph at No. 3 and Pelluault also won in a tiebreaker, 7-5, 2-6 (10-7). Ploquin captured the No. 6 singles match 6-4, 6-1.
Ventura (2-0) next travels to Mt. San Antonio on Friday Feb. 9.
Ventura 6, Hope International 1
Doubles
1. Rafael Matias/Lucas Abreau (VC) def. Yuya Koide/Yugo Homma (HIU), 6-3
2. Cody Ray Emery/Julian Tellez (VC) lost to Yahia Elsheikh/Felix Hamp (HIU), 6-3
3. Robinson Pelluault/Edgar Ploquin (VC) def. Dylan Barrett/Mario Jimenez (HIU), 6-3
Singles
1. Emery (VC) def. Hamp (HIU), 6-1, 6-4
2. Matias (VC) def. Koide (HIU), 6-3, 6-1
3. Abreau (VC) def. Elsheikh (HIU), 7-5, 5-7 (10-7)
4. Tellez (VC) lost to Homma (HIU), 6-1, 6-2
5. Pelluault (VC) def. Jimenez (HIU), 7-5, 2-6 (10-7)
6. Ploquin (VC) def. Barrett (HIU), 6-4, 6-1