Men’s tennis competes at ITA West Regionals

CLAREMONT, Calif. — Six men from Chapman University men's tennis team competed this weekend at the annual ITA West Region Tournament to round out the fall season. 

Freshman Caleb Wilkins competed in the Flight A bracket and took home a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win in the opening match against his opponent from Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, but lost to James Wei of Cal Tech in his second contest 6-1, 6-1. 

Sophomore Adrien Rooney also competed in the A bracket, falling 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 to his opponent from Redlands. Rooney then entered the consolation bracket where he fell 6-3, 6-4 to end his tournament play.

Senior Len Kamemoto competed in Flight B alongside junior Jacob Lee. Kamemoto lost his first match 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 (6) to enter the consolation bracket where he fell 6-1, 6-0 to his opponent from Redlands. Lee advanced to the quarterfinals after winning 6-0, 6-4 in his first match and 6-4, 6-2 in his second. The junior eventually withdrew from the quarterfinal match due to injury.

Freshman Josh Blinder competed in Flight C and won his first match 7-6, 7-5 before going on to beat Zhe Pang of Pomona Pitzer 6-1, 6-2. The rookie put up a fight but fell to his opponent from UC Santa Cruz 6-2, 7-5 in the quarterfinals. 

Freshman Ryan Fabre made his collegiate debut, falling to Nathaniel Serrurier of Pomona-Pitzer 1-6, 7-5, 1-0 (4) in Flight C. The rookie moved to the consolation bracket, beating his opponent from Cal Lutheran 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (8) before falling to Redlands 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals.

Kamemoto and Lee teamed up as doubles partners in the open division along with Rooney and Wilkins. Both duos won their first match, with Kamemoto and Lee taking an 8-5 victory over Colorado College and Rooney and Wilkins earning an 8-3 victory over Redlands. Both teams lost in the round of 16 as Kamemoto and Lee fell 8-3 to Whittier and Rooney and Wilkins lost 8-5 to Occidental.

The Panthers will return home to Lastinger Tennis Center to begin their spring schedule in March 2020.

by Katie Bell & Niki Ardebili
Sports Information Assistant & Intern

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