Ventura Advances to State Championship with SoCal Title

The VC men's tennis team advanced to the state championship Saturday with a hard-fought 5-3 decision over Glendale at the VC Tennis Center. Lucas Abreu teamed up with Cody Ray Emery to win at No. 1 doubles in the 3C2A Southern California Regional Final and clinched the match against the Vaqueros with a come-from-behind win in No. 3 singles. Edgar Ploquin also produced a pair of victories as the Pirates advanced to the state final for the first time since 2013.

Despite having defeated Glendale twice in the regular season, the Pirates were wary of their Western State Conference rival in Saturday's playoff match. As had been said many times, it is difficult to defeat a good team three times in a season, and VC soon found out that the regional final was going to be a fight against the Vaqueros.

In doubles play, GCC captured the No. 2 match 8-4 moments before Emery and Abreu evened the match with their own 8-4 victory at No. 1.

In No. 3 doubles, Robinson Pelluault and Ploquin were locked in a battle.  They trailed early, 3-2, but came back to win three straight games to lead 5-3. They were tied 7-7 when they broke the Vaquero's serve, then came back from two break points to claim the win on a volley shot from Pelluault that Glendale initially called wide. However, after consulting with the official, the ball was correctly ruled in and the Pirate duo won the match 9-7 to put Ventura ahead 2-1.

MTen��: Pelluault & Ploquin break @VAQsports at 7-7, then come back from two break points to capture the winner to put @VCPiratestennis ahead 2-1 following doubles in the @3C2Asports SoCal Finals. pic.twitter.com/StGfXRmJXp

— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) April 20, 2024

In singles play, the contest remained tight as VC won the first set at Nos. 2, 4 and 6 while GCC won the first set at Nos. 1, 3 and 5.

Rafael Matias was the first to claim a singles point with his love and three win at No. 2. Glendale kept pace, however, as Pelluault fell in straight sets in the No. 5 slot. Ploquin then put VC on the edge of victory with a 6-3, 7-5 triumph at No. 6.

The Vaqueros continued to keep the match interesting as Emery dropped his No. 1 singles match, 7-5, 6-3.

The contest came down to Courts 3 and 4 where Abreu came back to win the second set in the No. 3 match after losing the first while Julian Tellez won his first set at No. 4 before dropping the second.

Abreu controlled his third set early while Tellez had to come from behind to take the upper hand. Abreu then led 5-2 while Tellez was up 5-3 on the neighboring courts with one Pirate win necessary for the regional crown.

GCC held serve at No. 3 before Abreu quickly disposed of his opponent in the next game to clinch the victory for the Pirates.

MTen��: Abreu wins at #3 singles, 5-7, 6-2,6-3 to clinch SoCal title for @VCPiratestennis 5-3 over @VAQsports. VC will play in @3C2Asports state championship Wed. April 24 at 10am at the VC Tennis Center at @TheOjai. pic.twitter.com/7BRhDQQgQF

— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) April 21, 2024

With the win, Ventura claims the regional title and advances to the state championship match for the first time since 2013. The Pirates will seek the program's third state championship on Wednesday April 24 against American River College of Sacramento. The match is slated to begin at 10:00 am at the VC Tennis Center as part of The Ojai tennis tournament.  

Ventura 5, Glendale 3

Doubles
1. Cody Ray Emery/Lucas Abreu (VC) def.  Lance Morgan/Adam Ridaoul (GCC), 8-4
2. Rafael Matias /Julian Tellez (VC) lost to Jean-Baptiste Badon/Andy Zhu (GCC), 8-5
3. Robinson Pelluault/Edgar Ploquin (VC) def. Mostafa Benmira/Ian Mcodemus (GCC), 9-7

Order of Finish: 2, 1, 3

Singles
1. Emery (VC) lost to Badon (GCC), 7-5, 6-3
2. Matias (VC) def. Ridaoul (GCC), 6-0, 6-3
3. Abreau (VC) def. Benmira (GCC), 5-7, 6-2, 6-3
4. Tellez (VC) vs. Morgan (GCC), 6-3, 2-6, 5-3, DNF
5. Pelluault (VC) lost to Zhu (GCC), 6-2, 6-3
6. Ploquin (VC) def. Mcodemus (GCC), 6-3, 7-5

Order of Finish: 2, 5, 6, 1, 3