Tim Goranson and John Bertram had a deep run in the men’s independent college doubles division of the 112th Ojai Valley Tournament but fell just short of winning the championship.
After defeating the number one and three seeds earlier in the tournament, the Westmont duo lost to second-seeded Gernot Hageman and Bruno Santarelli of Concordia in the championship match. Concordia eked out a 7-6 (3) win in the first set then took the second set 6-2.
On Friday, Goranson and Bertram defeated top-seeded Cledson Carvalho and Nathan Martinet of Fresno Pacific in a second round match-up by scores of 6-2, 3-6, (10-7). Then on Saturday, Goranson and Bertram recorded a 6-1, 6-4 win over third-seeded Tyler Bowman and Greg de Andrade of Point Loma Nazarene.
The men’s tennis team will have a break from competition next week as they take final exams and then begin preparing for the NAIA National Championship which begins on May 15 in Mobile, Alabama.
The Warriors are currently ranked tenth in the nation but are expected to move up in the poll to be released on Monday, April 30 by virtue of a 7-2 victory over #7 Concordia. If the Warriors move up two places to number eight, they will likely receive a first round bye and begin play on Wednesday May 16. The national tournament pairings are due to be released on Tuesday, May 8.
