Pirates off to strong start to 2022 with win over Mounties

WALNUT -- The Orange Coast College men's tennis team made it four victories in five matches on Friday with an 8-1 nonconference win over host Mt. San Antonio College.

The Pirates (4-1) swept through doubles play, courtesy of the teams of Yuta Kawabata/Kai Rodriguez (8-2), Ryan Palaeologus/Elijah Morley (8-3) and Malik Thaiw/Faress Sorial (8-0).

It was more of the same in singles play, with straight-set victories coming from Rodriguez (6-0, 6-2), Thiaw (6-0, 6-1) and Morley (6-4, 6-3). In a tiebreaker battle, Palaeologus prevailed, 6-3, 1-6, (10-8). 

The Pirates will return to the OCC Tennis Complex on Thursday for a nonconference matchup against San Diego City College, beginning at 2 p.m.