The Cerritos College men's tennis team opened South Coast Conference play on Thursday by handing host Mt. San Antonio College a 7-2 setback. The Falcons (5-4, 1-0) will play their sixth straight road match next Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. when they travel to Mt. San Jacinto College.

Leading the way for the team was a trio of quick singles wins, while Cerritos also swept the Mounties in doubles play. The Falcons dropped a pair of third-set tie-breakers, but freshman Julian Avila (Paramount HS) secured the team's fourth point in the #5 position with a 3-6, 6-1, 10-6 victory over Brendan Yu. That seemed to take the steam out of Mt. SAC, who were swept in doubles play.

Freshman Nathan Eshmade (Kings Baptist HS, Australia) opened with a quick 6-0, 6-0 drubbing of Marcelo Bautista, while sophomore Todd Jenkins (Cabrillo HS) posted a 6-4, 6-0 win. As for freshman Mathew Espiritu (Long Beach Millikan HS), his 6-4, 6-1 win secured a sweep at the top half of the ladder. The duo of freshman Maurice Grijalva (Gardena HS) and Gianni Jeong (Cerritos HS) were defeated in three-set matches.

It was all Cerritos in doubles play, with Eshmade and Espiritu registering a 6-2, 6-4 win, while Jenkins and Grijalva had little trouble in their 6-0, 6-1 victory. In the #3 position, Jeong and Avila fought for their 6-3, 7-6(4) win to close out the match.

SINGLES

Nathan Eshmade (CERR) def. Marcelo Bautista (MSAC), 6-0, 6-0
Todd Jenkins (CERR) def. Andrew Lieu (MSAC), 6-4, 6-0
Mathew Espiritu (CERR) def. Kenny Simmons (MASC), 6-4, 6-1
Cameron Webber (MSAC) def. Maurice Grijalva (CERR), 2-6, 6-4, 10-2
Julian Avila (CERR) def. Brendan Yu (MSAC), 3-6, 6-1, 10-6
Devin Julien-Rohman (MSAC) def. Gianni Jeong (CERR), 2-6, 6-2, 10-5

DOUBLES

Nathan Eshmade/Mathew Espiritu (CERR) def. Marcelo Bautista/Andrew Lieu (MSAC), 6-2, 6-4
Todd Jenkins/Maurice Grijalva (CERR) def. Kenny Simmons/Cameron Webber (MSAC), 6-0, 6-1
Gianni Jeong/Julian Avila (CERR) def. Brendon Yu/Devin Julien/Rohman (MSAC), 6-3, 7-6(4)

Photo by Daryl Peterson