Koyanagi, Karen Advance in Play at The Ojai

VC sophomore Hironori Koyanagi continued his march in his state singles title defense Friday in play at the CCCAA State Championships in The Ojai Tournament.  Meanwhile, Koyanagi and doubles teammate Corey Karen also moved on to the Elite Eight of the state championships.  Play will resume in singles at the Ojai Athletic Club at 9:30am on Saturday Apr. 23.

Koyanagi, the top-seed in the draw, won twice in straight sets to move on to the state quarterfinals. He defeated an unseeded opponent from Orange Coast 6-2, 6-2 in the round of 32 before disposing of the No. 12-seed from Irvine Valley, 6-4, 6-2.  He will continue play on Saturday at 9:30 am against the No. 3-seed from Folsom Lake College, and would play again at 12:30 pm with a victory.

Karen, the No. 4-seed in the draw, also continued singles play Friday, defeating the No. 12-seed from Diablo Valley 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the round of 32.  He then was upset by the No. 10-seed from Irvine Valley 6-1, 6-2 in the round of 16.

In doubles play, No. 3-seed Koyanagi and Karen defeated an opponent from Mt. San Antonio 6-4, 6-3 before winning against the No. 8-seed from Fresno, 6-1, 6-2.  They will play in the Elite Eight at 2:00 pm Saturday Apr. 23 at the Ojai Athletic Club, with advancement to Sunday's Final Four at stake.

The VC doubles team of Guenter Newman and Michael Burr saw their season come to an end Friday with a 6-4, 6-2 loss to the No. 2-seed from Cerritos College.