The VC men's tennis team advanced to the state championship Saturday with a hard-fought 5-3 decision over Glendale at the VC Tennis Center. Lucas Abreu teamed up with Cody Ray Emery to win at No. 1 doubles in the 3C2A Southern California Regional Final and clinched the match against the Vaqueros with a come-from-behind win in No. 3 singles. Edgar Ploquin also produced a pair of victories as the Pirates advanced to the state final for the first time since 2013. | ORIGINAL RELEASE
Despite having defeated Glendale twice in the regular season, the Pirates were wary of their Western State Conference rival in Saturday's playoff match. As had been said many times, it is difficult to defeat a good team three times in a season, and VC soon found out that the regional final was going to be a fight against the Vaqueros.
In doubles play, GCC captured the No. 2 match 8-4 moments before Emery and Abreu evened the match with their own 8-4 victory at No. 1.
In No. 3 doubles, Robinson Pelluault and Ploquin were locked in a battle. They trailed early, 3-2, but came back to win three straight games to lead 5-3. They were tied 7-7 when they broke the Vaquero's serve, then came back from two break points to claim the win on a volley shot from Pelluault that Glendale initially called wide. However, after consulting with the official, the ball was correctly ruled in and the Pirate duo won the match 9-7 to put Ventura ahead 2-1.
MTen��: Pelluault & Ploquin break @VAQsports at 7-7, then come back from two break points to capture the winner to put @VCPiratestennis ahead 2-1 following doubles in the @3C2Asports SoCal Finals. pic.twitter.com/StGfXRmJXp
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) April 20, 2024
