On the road at Glendale College, the Ventura College men's tennis team got the second round of conference play off to a strong start with a 6-3 win over the Vaqueros. The Pirates (7-1, 5-0) split singles play, winning at Nos. 3, 4 and 5 and swept the doubles competition to bring home the victory.
Manu Rowe handles his opponent at No. 3 singles, winning 7-5, 6-1, and Cruz Thayne continued his strong play at the No. 4 slot, winning one and love. Rodrigo Perdigao prevailed at No. 5 singles with a 6-1, 6-4 win.
In doubles, Bill Whitaker and Thayne won in No. 1, 8-5 and Augustin Lestelle and Damon Mitchell teamed up for victory at No. 2 doubles, 8-2. Perdigao and Rowe triumphed in the No. 3 doubles spot, 8-5.
The first-place Pirates continue their quest for their third straight Western State Conference title with a home match Thursday March 8 against Santa Barbara City College. Play begins at the VC Tennis Center at 2:00 pm.
Ventura 6, Glendale 3
Singles
1. Augustin Lestelle (VC) lost to Christian Hess (GC), 6-4, 6-1
2. Bill Whitaker (VC) lost to Chris Pope (GC), 6-4, 6-4
3. Manu Rowe (VC) def. Arin Meserkhani (GC), 7-5, 6-1
4. Cruz Thayne (VC) def. Kevin Orellana (GC), 6-1, 6-0
5. Rodrigo Perdigao (VC) def. John Robertson (GC) 6-1, 6-4
6. Florent Auteuil (VC) lost to Steven Sandoval(GC), 6-3, 7-5
Doubles
1. Whitaker/Thayne (VC) def. Pope/Hess (GC), 8-5
2. Lestelle/Damon Mitchell (VC) def. Meserkhani/Orellana (GC), 8-2
3. Perdigao/Rowe (VC) def. Robertson/Sandoval (GC), 8-5