A shorthanded SBCC men’s tennis squad pushed highly ranked Riverside to the brink on Thursday before dropping a 5-4 decision in its season opener at Riverside.
The Vaqueros were playing without three players, including No. 1 Ryan Sweeney, due to eligibility issues. The Tigers are ranked No. 4 in Southern Cal.
“It came down to our No. 2 doubles (which lost 8-4),” said coach Don Lowry. “We were missing three of our top six players and I think they’ll be eligible next week.
“It’s frustrating because we had our 10th man playing in the six spot and we still almost beat one of the best teams in the state.”
The Vaqueros will take on No. 2 Mt. San Jacinto on Friday morning.
Riverside 5, SBCC 4. Singles–Sam Pirani, R, def. Nikolay Ivanove 3-6, 6-2, 6-4; Regis Fastrez, SB, def. Marlo Carrillo 6-2, 6-3; J.D. Owens, R, def. Cameron Deargon 6-4, 6-4; Jheven Gines, R, def. Zack Scott 6-2, 6-4; Kyle Lewis, SB, def. Spencer Melendez 6-2, 6-2; Rafael Ermac, R, def. Quinten Richelle 6-2, 6-2. Doubles–Ivanove-Fastrez, SB, def. Pirani-Melendez 8-3; Owens-Gines, R, def. Deargon-Lewis 8-4; Scott-Richelle, SB, def. Carrillo-Ermac 8-0. Records–SBCC 0-1, Riverside 1-0.
