Weather doesn't damper competition at 3C2A Tennis Championships with finals looming on Sunday
VENTURA/OJAI - The 3C2A Men's and Women's Individual Tennis Championships, part of the 123rd edition of the Ojai Tennis Tournament, got off to a late start due to weather conditions that saw rain early in the morning that continued until noon. Eventually, the skies would clear and play resumed at 1:30 p.m.
MEN’S DRAW
In men’s quarterfinal play, fireworks started after the first ball was struck. In a highly emotional match, Sufyan Ashraf of Irvine Valley College defeated Fullerton College freshman Sebastian Koster 6-4, 6-4. Ashraf did an incredible job neutralizing the powerful serve of Koster, often placing his first ball return deep in the baseline, which he would then follow up with an aggressive cross-court shot that kept Koster from counterpunching, which proved to be the difference in the match.
On the adjacent court, Luis Moros of Irvine Valley College and Hunter Lynch, San Diego City College's No. 1 player, staged the most exciting match of the day. Moros battled back after dropping the first set to claim a 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 win. Unlike most matches in the men’s game, in which points are finished by exchanging four balls or less, these two played a cat-and-mouse game. It was beautiful tennis, both trying to outwit the other with slices, moon balls, change of pace on the serve, and a lost art, approach and volley. While Lynch had opportunities to close the match in the second set, Moros ability to dictate the rallies in the later stages, and a higher first serve percentage, decided the outcome.
Glendale College's Ian Nicodemus proved too strong for Gavin Sonntag from America River College, finishing the match 6-0, 6-3.
Nick Grove of Irvine Valley College, a semifinalist from last year's tournament, was in dominant form, taking care of the always-competitive Rafael Matia, of Ventura College, 6-4, 6-0. Grove's serve, his primary weapon, set the tone for each point and consistently putting Matias on the back foot. Beyond his powerful serve, Grove's agility to move for someone his size, impressed.
Although there were clouds that would roll in, threatening play, it held up, allowing afternoon play to commence.
The first semifinal featured an all-Irvine Valley College clash between teammates Sufyan Ashraf and Luis Moros.
Moros started strong, dominating Ashraf from the baseline. There were long rallies throughout this match, but similar to his match against Lynch (SDCC), his ability to dictate the point at the latter stage of the point was once again prevalent. In addition, Moros showed he is not afraid to approach the net and win points with his volleys. Ashraf, known for his strong counterpunching ability, responded by hitting deeper shots from the baseline and captured the second set 7-5. Ultimately, Moros’ shot variety proved decisive, as he won the third set 6-4, advancing to the championship round.
In the other semifinal, Nick Grove was too much for Ian Nicodemus. Grove’s high first serve percentage, coupled with the power and speed of his serve, was virtually unreturnable. Following his serve, Grove placed his shots with pinpoint precision into the corners of the court, keeping Nicodemus constantly off balance. Determined to avoid a repeat of last season’s semifinal loss to Bakersfield College’s Sebastian Junghanns, Grove overpowered Nicodemus 6-1, 6-1.
WOMEN’S DRAW
In women quarterfinals play, Alleena Hu of American River College, defeated Janine Kremling of Riverside City College 6-2, 6-2. Hu, American River's No. 1 player, and newly crowned team state champion, had too many shots in her arsenal. She moved the ball around with depth, which did not allow Kremling to attack or counterpunch during the rallies.
Santa Barbara City College freshman Yoshino Fujita made an impressive debut at Ojai, defeating Mebuki KitaKuni of Orange Coast College 6-4, 6-2. Chabot College freshman Mina Koloski also delivered a strong debut performance, defeating Anaya Ayanbadejo of Santa Monica College 6-2, 6-0.
Last year's runner-up, Julianna Vich, a sophomore from Mt. San Antonio College, faced a tough opponent in Bakersfield College's Breanna Hiebert. Both players had the ability to hit aggressive shots against each other, however, Vich just had that extra shot that allowed her to control the point on any mid-ball shot. Although Hiebert appeared to shorten her backswing, allowing her to react more quickly to Vich's serves, it wasn’t enough to pull out the victory. Vich's aggressive serve return has been a key factor in her success at Ojai. Vich advances to the semifinals with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory.
SEMIFINAL PLAY
In the top bracket, Alleena Hu advanced convincingly, defeating Yoshino Fujita 6-1, 6-2. Hu's strategy of keeping the ball in play, and attacking when the opportunity presented itself was the difference maker. She was also able to keep the ball deep at the baseline, which would cause Fujita to make unforced errors throughout the match.
Julianna Vich's grueling but impressive tournament run concluded with a loss to Mina Koloski in another three-set battle. While both players reached the semifinals, their journeys were different. Vich had endured a hard-fought and long three-set match in the quarterfinal, whereas Koloski had a relatively straightforward 6-2, 6-0 victory in her quarterfinal match. Ultimately, Koloski's fresher legs and play proved too much for Vich, who, despite her valiant effort, showed signs of fatigue, often trying to finish the point with 2-3 shots as opposed to her usual patient and wait for an opportunity to attack style of game.
MEN’S DOUBLES QUARTERFINALS PLAY
(Foothill College) Keisuke Ariga and Abdala Quintero defeat (Irvine Valley College) Nevin McCann and Luis Moros 6-4, 6-2.
(Riverside City College) Lance Lao and Michael Chang defeat (SD City College) Thomas Lynch and Hunter Lynch 6-3, 6-4.
(Riverside City College) Augustin Daubannay and Ronith Sreeram defeat Glendale Community College Adam Ridaoui and David Tinajero 6-4, 6-4
(Irvine Valley College) Luciano Pardo and Nick Grove defeat (Riverside City College) Giovanne Recchia and Charalampos Plataniotis 6-2, 6-1.
MEN’S DOUBLES SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE
Keisuke Ariga and Abdala Quintero will face (Riverside City College) Lance Lao and Michael Chang.
On the other side, (Riverside City College) Augustin Daubannay and Ronith Sreeram will face (Irvine Valley College) Luciano Pardo and Nick Grove.
Semifinals will start at 9:30 a.m at the Ojai Valley Athletic Club followed by the finals at 2:30 p.m at Libbey Park.
WOMEN’S DOUBLES QUARTERFINAL PLAY
(American River College) Aileena Hu and Nica Angel Sobrepena defeat (Mt. San Antonio College) Tabitha Ortiz and Kassandra Uy 6-2, 1-1, retired
(Santa Barbara City College) Callie Tzab and Yoshino Fujita defeat (Sierra College) Erin Johnson and Emma Patterson 6-2, 6-2.
(Foothill College) Iana Loviagina and Johanna Schroeder defeat (Riverside City College) Janine Kremling and Denise Campbell 2-6, 7-6, 10-4
(Mt. San Antonio College) Paige Valenzuela and Julianna Vich defeat (Bakersfield College) Breanna Hiebert and Hannah Kratt 6-2, 6-1
WOMEN’S DOUBLES SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE
Aileena Hu and Nica Angel Sobrepena will take on Callie Tzab and Yoshino Fujita
Iana Loviagina and Johanna Schroeder will face Paige Valenzuela and Julianna Vich
Semifinals will start at 9:30 a.m at the Ojai Valley Athletic Club followed by the finals at 2:30 p.m at Libbey Park.
(Bo Navarro, CCCSIA)