Strong singles play the key to Pirates' 5-4 win over Saddleback
MISSION VIEJO -- The Orange Coast College men's tennis team picked up a strong road win on Thursday by topping Saddleback College, 5-4, in an Orange Empire Conference matchup.
The key to success for the Pirates (8-2, 2-2 in OEC) was picking up five hard-earned wins in singles play. Brandan Baar (6-3, 6-4) and Quoc Tran (6-3, 6-3) got things going with a pair of straight-set wins, while at No. 4 and No. 5 singles, Peter Hariri and Kendall Harris were in a pair three-set battles. In the end, Hariri (6-4, 4-6, 7-6) and Harris (2-6, 6-2, 6-3) picked up vital points that proved to be the difference in the overall final.
At No. 6 singles, Ross Ewart needed only two sets, but they were both long, grueling sets as he pulled out a 7-5, 6-4 win. Coast lost all three doubles matches, but the five singles points were enough for the team victory against the always-tough Gauchos (7-2, 2-1).
Coast returns home to face Fullerton on Tuesday, beginning at 2 p.m.
