Gauchos fall short in tennis playoffs

The Saddleback men's tennis team saw its team competition come to an end on Tuesday after a 5-3 loss to Mt. San Antonio College in the opening round of the Southern California Dual-Team Playoffs at Cal Poly Pomona.  The Gauchos will compete in individual play at Cypress College on Thursday.

Saddleback held a 2-1 lead after doubles play after winning two, hard-fought battles at No. 1 and No. 2 singles.  Riku Goto and Michael Park won 8-5 over Ron Kang and Jeffrey Aldina before Kian Saidi and Kris Harris defeated Philllip Beniga and Kenny Sakata, giving the Gauchos a quick start.

Things deteriorated in singles play as Saddleback lost a couple of tough matches.  Saidi did his part at No. 5 singles, defeating Ismael Rodriguez 6-4, 6-2 to become the only two-time winner on the day.

Saddleback will compete at Cypress College on Thursday in the Orange Empire Conference Tournament to decide which individuals advance to the state tournament. 

Singles:

1. Ron Kang (MSAC) def. Riku Goto (SC) 6-4, 6-2
2. Connor Mengert (SC) vs. Erik Martinez (MSAC) 4-6, 6-3, 0-1 (suspended)
3. Kenny Sakata (MSAC) def. Vance La (SC) 0-6, 6-3, 6-2
4. Jeffery Aldina (MSAC) def. Michael Park (SC) 6-1, 6-1
5. Kian Saidi (SC) def. Ismael Rodriguez (MSAC) 6-4, 6-2
6. Phillip Beniga (MSAC) def. Kris Harris (SC) 6-2, 6-4

Doubles:

1. Goto & Park (SC) def. Kang & Aldina (MSAC) 8-5
2. Saidi & Harris (SC) def. Beniga & Sakata (MSAC) 8-6
3. Rodriguez & Kim Phan (MSAC) def. Mengert & La (SC) 8-5