The Cerritos College men's tennis team polished off the first two Orange Coast College singles players very quickly, which propelled the team to a 6-3 non-conference win on Thursday. The win improved the Falcons record to 4-1 overall, but they will now face two teams that are traditionally strong due to their international players. They will travel to take on Santa Barbara City College on Friday, followed by a Saturday match against Ventura College.

In the win over the Pirates, freshman Nathan Eshmade (Kings Baptist HS, Australia) defeated Chris Chiu quickly, 6-0, 6-1, while sophomore Todd Jenkins (Cabrillo HS) moved into the #2 position and registered a 6-1, 6-3 sweep over Andrew Pham. Aside from freshman Maurice Grijalva (Gardena HS), who won 6-1, 6-0, the other three singles matches were hotly contested.

Freshman Julian Avila (Paramount HS) held off Francesco Nguyen in the #3 position with a 6-1, 1-6, 10-7 victory, but the other two singles matches ended in defeat, with one going to a third set tie-breaker.

The Falcons clinched the match with a pair of doubles victories, as Eshmade and Espiritu teamed for an 8-4 win, while Jenkins and Grijalva posted an 8-2 win in the #2 spot.

SINGLES

Nathan Eshmade (CERR) def. Chris Chiu (OCC), 6-0, 6-1
Todd Jenkins (CERR) def. Andrew Pham (OCC), 6-1, 6-3
Julian Avila (CERR) def. Francesco Nguyen (OCC), 6-1, 1-6, 10-7
Chad Meyer (OCC) def. Mat Espirity (CERR), 6-2, 4-6, 10-7
Maurice Grijalva (CERR) def. Michael Chantos (OCC), 6-1, 6-0
Dillon Nguyen (OCC) def. Gianni Jeong (CERR), 6-2, 7-6 (4)

DOUBLES

Nathan Eshmade/Mat Espiritu (CERR) def. Chris Chiu/Chad Meyer (OCC), 8-4
Todd Jenkins/Maurice Grijalva (CERR) def. Francesco Nguyen/Thai (OCC), 8-2
Andrew Pham/Dillon Nguyen (OCC) def. Gianni Jeong/Julian Avila (CERR), 8-2

Photo by Daryl Peterson