The Pirates' men's tennis team season came to an unexpected end Tuesday as No. 4-seed Ventura lost to No. 5 Saddleback 5-4 in the first round of the CCCAA SoCal Regional Playoffs at the VC Tennis Center. After falling behind 2-1 after doubles play, the Pirates (16-5) rallied to take a 4-3 advantage before dropping the final two matches of the day to see their dual season come to an end.
Augustin Lestelle and Damon Mitchell recorded the lone point for VC in doubles play with an 8-2 victory in the No. 2 slot.
Bill Whitaker tied the match when he posted a 6-1, 6-4 victory in No. 1 singles. A Gaucho victory in No. 5 singles gave them a 3-2 advantage, but wins by Cruz Thayne, 6-2, 6-4 at No. 3, and Rodrigo Perdigao, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) at No. 4 put Ventura on the cusp of advancing in the playoffs. Saddleback was not to be denied, however, recording a win at No. 2 singles, then pulling out a three-set thriller at No. 6 to claim the upset.
Ventura, the 3-peat Western State Conference champions, end their dual season with a record of 16-5.
Individual singles and double play will continue for VC, however, with Whittaker playing in the WSC singles semifinals on Friday April 14, and also teaming up with Thayne in the conference doubles final.
Additionally, three VC doubles teams and up to six individuals will be participating in the CCCAA State Singles and Doubles Championships at The Ojai beginning April 27.
Ventura 4, Saddleback 5
Doubles
1. Whitaker/Thayne (VC) lost to Gelman/Goto (SC) 8-5
2. Lestelle/Mitchell (VC) def. Bloom/Gustafson (SC) 8-2
3. Perdigao/Hamilton Walker (VC) lost to Park/Tran (SC) 8-5
Singles
1. Bill Whitaker (VC) def. Jeff Gelman (SC), 6-1, 6-4
2. Augustin Lestelle (VC) lost to Riku Goto (SC) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
3. Cruz Thayne (VC) def. Kris Harris (SC) 6-2, 6-4
4. Rodrigo Perdigao (VC) def. Tyler Bloom (SC) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
5. Damon Mitchell (VC) lost to Michael Park (SC) 6-1, 6-1
6. Florent Auteuil (VC) lost to Andrew Tran (SC) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
Order of finish: 1, 5, 3, 4, 2, 6