The Pirates' men's tennis team had three players qualify for the 3C2A State Championships in play at the Western State Conference Championships Thursday at the VC Tennis Center. Cody Ray Emery, Rafael Matias and Julian Tellez all advanced to the quarterfinal round of the draw to earn their spots at The Ojai.
Emery, the No. 2-seed in the draw, easily defeated an opponent from Santa Barbara, love and love, before winning against a player from Glendale, 6-4, 6-1 to move into the quarterfinal round.
Meanwhile, Matias moved forward due to his opponent's withdrawal from the tournament before beating a player from Santa Barbara, 6-3, 6-1, also moving into the final eight of the draw and qualifying for state.
Tellez was the third player to punch his ticket for The Ojai with a pair of singles wins Thursday. He moved past his opposition from Glendale 6-1, 6-1 before advancing past the Round of 16 with a 6-2, 6-3 win over a player from Bakersfield.
VC also has thee more players alive in their quest to move forward to the state championships. Lucas Abreau defeated his opponent from Santa Barbara, 6-2, 6-0 before falling in the round of 16 against Glendale in a super-tiebreaker, 2-6, 6-2, 10-3. Robinson Pelluault won his first round match against Bakersfield, 6-2, 6-0, before dropping a 6-3, 6-0 decision to Santa Barbara in the Round of 16. Edgar Ploquin also won his first match of the day, 6-3, 6-0 against a player from Santa Barbara before falling 6-3, 6-2 against Bakersfield's top singles player.
Nathan Kapella was Ventura's other singles entrant, falling 6-2, 6-1 in the opening round against Santa Barbara.
Doubles play was suspended due to weather on Thursday afternoon and will commence Friday April 5 at the VC Tennis Center. The singles draw will also continue with its conclusion coming on Saturday April 6.