Men’s tennis bounces back

Men’s tennis bounces back

The Saddleback men's tennis team bounced back from consecutive losses with a 6-3 win over Palomar College on Friday in San Marcos.  The Gauchos rallied for six straight wins after falling behind to improve to 5-2 overall.

Saddleback opens Orange Empire Conference play next week and wanted to get back to winning ways after dropping back-to-back matches against two of the top programs in the region.  After dropping the first two matches in singles play, the Gauchos rallied for four straight wins to send the match into double play with a 4-2 lead.  Saddleback then won two, hard-fought matches at #1 and #2 doubles to close out Palomar.

Connor Mengert and Michael Park were critical, winning two matches apiece to lead the charge.  Mengert (pictured) handled Abraham Alex at #3 singles (6-1, 7-5) before teaming with Vance La for an 8-6 win at #2 doubles.  Park cruised past Alex Daniel at #4 singles (6-3, 6-2) before teaming with Riku Goto for a narrow 9-8 win at #1 singles. 

Saddleback opens conference play on Tuesday when they travel to Fullerton College to take on the Hornets.  Match time is scheduled for 2:00 PM in Fullerton.

Singles:

1. Peter TrHac (PC) def. Riku Goto (SC) 6-3, 1-6, 7-5
2.  Taylor Bryant (PC) def. Vance La (SC) 6-4, 1-6, 6-2
3.  Connor Mengert (SC) def. Abraham Alex (PC) 6-1, 7-5
4. Michael Park (SC) def. Alex Daniel (PC) 6-3, 6-2
5. Kris Harris (SC) def. Dorian Blanchard (PC) 6-0, 6-3
6. Zuriel Aaron (SC) def. Adam Lippert (PC) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2

Doubles:

1. Goto & Park (SC) def. TrHac & Bryant (PC) 9-8 (11-9)
2. La & Mengert (SC) def. Blanchard & Daniel (PC) 8-6
3. Alex & Lippert (PC) def. Harris  & Jonathan Elkan (SC) 8-6