With four returning players and two newcomers from faraway lands, SBCC hopes to climb up the ladder in the tough Western State Conference men’s tennis race. The Vaqueros have finished third the last three years, including last season when they went 6-4 in conference and 8-4 overall.
Freshmen Nikolay Ivanove (Bulgaria) and Regis Sastrez (Belgium) started the season in the top two spots for SBCC, which opened with losses at Riverside, ranked No. 4 in Southern California, and No. 2 Mt. San Jacinto last week. The Vaqueros dropped a tough 5-4 decision to Riverside.
SBCC will take on Westmont, a four-year school, on Thursday at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in Carpinteria.
Ryan Sweeney, last year’s No. 1 man, will play at No. 3, followed by returners Cameron Deargon and Alex Zazove. Kyle Lewis is slated to play in the six spot with sophomore Zak Scott at No. 7.
“We’ve got an incredibly tough schedule this year,” said fifth-year coach Don Lowry. “We’re playing Riverside, Mt. SAC, San Diego Mesa, Cypress, Glendale and Ventura and they’re all highly ranked. We’re up against a lot early but I expect us to get it together later.
“As the season progresses, we’ll be a tough contender who can play with anybody.”
