Andre Fuller/Roundup
Pierce College Men’s tennis team was defeated by Ventura College this afternoon at the tennis courts on campus, 8-0.
Ventura College (2-0, 1-0) came in to match play today with a lot of confidence, as they swept Pierce College (3-2, 0-1) in six single matches and two doubles.
“We’re not ‘world beaters’,” said Brad McClain, co-head coach of the Ventura Men’s and Women’s tennis teams. “We’re just deep. We’re good one through six.”
With most of the matches uncompetitive, it was Pierce College’s Freshman Patrick Massey verse Pedro Arteaga that shined as the lone highlight of the afternoon. Arteaga defeated Massey in straight sets 7-5 and 6-4.
“That match [Massey verse Arteaga], came down to who had better passing shots,” said McClain. “Both guys were aggressive coming in.”
Arteaga verse Massey lasted for more than two hours.
“It was a tough one,” said Arteaga, 20. “He [Massey] is very competitive.”
Massey, 18, a transfer student from Santa Monica, felt he could have done more to win the game.
“I felt like I could have taken it,” said Massey. “Not to make excuses, but I had new shoes and my feet were hurting me the whole match.”
A close match throughout the two hours, the momentum swing changed when Massey hit a backhand near the line that caused controversy for a couple minutes.
“I hit a backhand on the line, and he [Arteaga] called it out,” said Massey. “It was an iffy call, but it’s his call and he made the right one.”
Arteaga had trouble throughout the match, dealing with Massey’s constant hustle. However, his game proved to persevere as the match went on.
“My backhand helped me out today,” said Arteaga. “He didn’t react well to it.”
Arteaga’s play wasn’t the only impressive showing of the afternoon, as Ventura’s Alexandre Piccin defeated Pierce’s Ari Cohen in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.
“I try to hit the ball hard, as it builds my confidence,” said Piccin, 21. ” It doesn’t matter how many mistakes I have, I just keep playing.”
While Ventura went home satisfied, Pierce was left with a lot to learn. A growing process Pierce head coach Rajeev Datt is optimistic about.
“They [Ventura] played good ball, but we were just out-classed today,” said Datt. “We’re young. It was a shell shock to see the talent. Unfortunately for us, we don’t get the support we need.”
Match scores
Singles:
· Robbie Diamond (Ventura) defeated Royce Pasiliac (Pierce), 6-0,6-2.
· Juan Arteaga (Ventura) defeated Navjeevan Sandhu (Pierce), 6-0, 6-0.
· Alexandre Piccin (Ventura) defeated Ari Cohen (Pierce), 6-4, 6-2.
· Romain Scipione (Ventura) defeated Logan Feldstein (Pierce), 6-1, 6-0.
· Thomas Millet (Ventura) defeated David Castillo (Pierce), 6-2, 6-0.
· Pedro Arteaga (Ventura) defeated Patrick Massey (Pierce), 7-5, 6-4
Doubles:
· Thomas Millet and Romain Scipione (Ventura) defeated Royce Pasiliac and Navjeevan Sandhu (Pierce), 8-1.
· Juan Arteaga and Pedro Arteaga (Ventura) defeated Ari Cohen and Patrick Massey (Pierce), 8-2.
Pierce College’s next game will be at home against Glendale College on Feb. 23 at 2 p.m.
Patrick Massey returns the ball against Ventura College’s Pedro Arteaga Feb. 18. (Louie Heredia / Roundup)
