Knowing that a win over Mt. San Antonio College on Thursday would clinch the South Coast Conference title, the Cerritos College men's tennis team responded with a 7-2 win on Thursday. The victory improved the Falcons record to 9-8 overall and 4-1 in SCC play with one match remaining. The team has three other non-conference matches scheduled, including a 2:00 p.m. match against visiting Glendale College on Tuesday.

In the victory over the Mounties, several players stepped up their game in crucial spots. Freshman Gianni Jeong (Cerritos HS), who lost his first two meetings against Devin Julien-Rohman, throughly dominated him this time, as he recorded a 6-1, 6-1 win to motivate his teammates. Additionally, sophomore Todd Jenkins (Cabrillo HS) rolled his ankle in the first set, but refused to default and came away with a 7-5, 6-4 win in the #3 position.

The Falcons continued pick up singles wins, as freshman Nathan Eshmade (Kings Baptist HS, Australia HS) continued to dominate from his #1 position with a 6-1, 6-1 win, with freshman Maurice Grijalva (Gardena HS) following with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. Fighting off multiple break points in the first set, freshman Julian Avila (Paramount HS) clinched the match with a 7-6(5), 6-4 win in the #4 position.

In doubles play, Eshmade and Espiritu handed Marcelo Bautista and Andrew Lieu an 8-4 setback, while Geong and Avila moved up the #2 spot and responded with an 8-6 victory.

SINGLES

Nathan Eshmade (CERR) def. Marvelo Bautista (MSAC), 6-1, 6-1
Andrew Lieu (MSAC) def. Mathew Espiritu (CERR), 6-1, 6-4
Todd Jenkins (CERR) def. Cameron Webber (MSAC), 7-5, 6-4
Julian Avila (CERR) def. Kenny Simmons (MSAC), 7-6(5), 6-4
Maurice Grijalva (CERR) def. Brendan Yu (MSAC), 6-3, 6-4
Gianni Jeong (CERR) def. Devin Julien-Rohman (MSAC), 6-1, 6-1

DOUBLES

Nathan Eshmade/Mathew Espiritu (CERR) def. Marcelo Bautista/Andrew Lieu (MSAC), 8-4
Gianni Jeong/Julian Avila (CERR) def. Cameron Webber/Daniel Hawkins (MSAC), 8-6
Devin Julien-Rohman/Brendan Yu (MSAC) def. Danny Cho/Juan Diaz de leon (CERR), 8-4

Photo by Daryl Peterson