Tennis Knights qualify for SoCal Regionals

David Pradel, Sports Editor

As the Knights tennis season winds down, both the men’s and women’s tennis teams were able to continue their season by having players qualify for the Southern California Regional Tournament after competing in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Tournament from April 9-11.

For the men’s team, they competed at Grossmont College in the PCAC Tournament and although no one on the team advanced in the singles bracket, three of their doubles team made it to the quarterfinals stage which got them in for the SoCal Regionals.

The men’s No. 1 doubles team: freshmen Dale Gutierrez and Logan Rinder qualified; along with the No. 2 doubles team with sophomores German Ziella and David Lin. Also making the cut for the men’s doubles team were freshmen Dominic Villamor and Raymond Cabellegan.

“I’m extremely happy that I got all three doubles team in. In the past, maybe I would get a couple singles and one doubles team so I am extremely excited that I got all three teams to qualify for the playoffs,” men’s tennis Head Coach Brandon Lupian said.

Lupian is currently in his ninth season of coaching, and this marks the ninth consecutive season that he has been able to get several Knights to qualify for the SoCal Tournament.

For the women’s team, they traveled to Cuyamaca College to compete in the PCAC Tournament and had two singles and two doubles team qualify for the SoCal Regionals.

The No.1 and No. 2 singles players for the women’s team: freshmen Brianna Hooks and Jordann Hernandez were able to qualify in the singles bracket.

In the doubles round, the No. 1 doubles team: Hooks and freshman Lily Yamauchi qualified; along with the No. 3 doubles team: freshmen Melissa Gomez and Lydia Teal.

“I think it’s great — last year we only had one singles and one doubles team so I am very happy. The girls worked hard and played great in the tournament and I couldn’t be happier; we had a good season and the improvement has been amazing…and I couldn’t have asked for anything more this season,” said women’s tennis Head Coach Jami Jones.

In her third year coaching at City, this marks one of the most successful season in the women’s program by having five qualifiers to compete in the SoCal Regionals.