Vitor Mendes, a standout tennis player for the Pirates' men's team in 2013 and 2014, has signed a national letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic careers at NCAA Division I Wichita State University in Kansas. Vitor, who was the 2014 Western State Conference MVP, used his redshirt year to complete his AA degree at Ventura College this year, and will still have two years to play two for the Shockers.
Mendes came to VC from Serra Negra, Brazil. He was an All-WSC performer his freshman season, winning the WSC doubles title with Cameron Lee, and advancing to the state doubles semifinals. He also advanced to the state singles championship match and helped lead the Pirates to a state runner-up finish. As a sophomore he reached the WSC singles final and won the conference doubles championship with Victor Dos Santos.
"I am so happy for Vitor," said VC head coach Nelson Emery. "He's worked really hard for this opportunity and I'm confident he'll do great things at Wichita State. He's a quality human being first and foremost and a great tennis player. He definitely is on the Mount Rushmore of all the great tennis players we've had here at VC. A True Pirate!"