Pirates Solid on Day 1 of The Ojai Tournament

The Ventura College men's tennis team had solid results on the first day of the CCCAA State Tennis Championships at The Ojai Tournament Thursday. Five of the six Pirates in singles won at least one match with two moving on to the round of 32 while All three doubles teams won at least one match, with two surviving to the round of 32.

In singles play, top-seed and defending state champion Hironori Koyanagi had an easy first day.  He advanced with a bye, then defeated an opponent from DeAnza College 6-2, 6-2 to move to the round of 32.  No. 4-seed Corey Karen also had a bye before topping a player from College of the Desert 6-4, 6-1 to advance.

Guenter Newman won a close three-set thriller in his opening round match 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-4 before falling to the No. 7 seed from Orange Coast while Michael Burr came from behind to defeat an opponent from Grossmont 4-6, 7-5, 6-0, then bowing out to the No. 4-seed from Diablo Valley, 6-4, 6-0.

Evan Gazic won his opener 7-5, 6-4 over an opponent from Fresno before falling in the round of 64, 6-1, 6-1 to the draw's No. 2-seed from Irvine Valley.  Leonardo Santos put up a touch fight before falling in his state tournament opener 6-1, 7-5 to an opponent from Cerritos.

In doubles play, No. 3 Koyanagi and Karen moved on without a serve.  They received a first round by before advancing to the round of 32 by default over a duo from Victor Valley who failed to show for the match.

Meanwhile Newman and Burr advanced with a bye, then upset the No. 16-seed from Diablo Valley 6-1, 6-1.  Finally, Victor Ribeiro and Santos won their opener 6-2, 6-3 over a team from College of the Desert before falling to the No. 7 team from American River 6-3, 6-2.

The Ojai Tournament continues Friday April 22 at various sites around town before moving to Ojai for saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24.