Amazing season for Pirates ends in Bakersfield
BAKERSFIELD -- It was going to take a powerhouse program to knock out the Orange Coast College women's tennis team and the Bakersfield College Renegades matched that description, topping the visiting Pirates, 5-1, on Saturday in the state semifinals of the 3C2A Women's Tennis State Team Championships.
With the win, Southern California's top seeded Renegades (19-0) will take on Northern California's top-seeded American River College for the state championship on Friday at Ventura College, beginning at 10 a.m.
The loss was a tough one for the second-seeded Pirates (17-2), but the loss does not take away from an incredible season put forth by the players and coaches.
Against Bakersfield on Saturday, Coast hung tough in the three doubles matches, but fell in all three, putting the Pirates in a deep hole.
In singles play, Mebuki Kitakuni came through with a 6-2, 6-1 win over BC's Hannah Kratt at No. 2, but the Renegades picked up a pair of straight-set wins at Nos. 1 and 3 to end the contest, giving Bakersfield the five wins needed to advance.
It was a solid run in 2025 for this year's freshman-heavy roster and with a solid group returning in 2026 to join what should be another talented group of first-year players, the sky is the limit for OCC next year.
Several Pirate players will be shooting for singles and doubles glory at the 3C2A Women's Tennis State Championships this week in Ojai.
