The VC women's tennis team began play in the Western State Conference Singles and Doubles Championships Tuesday at the VC Tennis Center. Fernanda Gonzales had an 8-0 win in the first round of the draw to lead four Pirate victories in singles play. Meanwhile, Lola Tennison and Chandra Padua, along with Nicole Iannacone and Kira Branson each qualified for the 3C2A State Doubles Championships later this month at The Ojai Tournament.
Gonzales won her singles match 8-0, defeating an opponent from Glendale, while Samantha Garcia defeated an opponent from Los Angeles Mission 8-5 to advance. Padua won 8-5 over an opponent from Canyons and No. 15-seeded Branson also defeated a player from Canyons, 8-3. Dulce Contreras dropped her first round match to an opponent from Bakersfield. No. 7 Tennison and No. 5 Iannacone received a bye into the Round of 32 which will be played on Thursday Apr. 3.
In doubles, No. 6-seeded Iannacone and Branson won a pair of matches, 8-2 over Antelope Valley and 8-4 over Santa Barbara to move into the quarterfinal round of the draw. Meanwhile, No. 10 Tennison and Padua defeated Canyons 8-3 to qualify for the state championships before falling 8-1 to a duo from Santa Barbara. Gonzales and Contreras fell in their opening match to a pair from Bakersfield.
The WSC Championships continue on Thursday Apr. 3 at the VC Tennis Center.