Riverside Captures Singles & Doubles Championships

Cypress, CA – Riverside City College freshman Sam Paque captured the Orange Empire Conference men's singles title on Friday (April 8) by fending off Riku Goto of Saddleback College 7-2 (retired injury) in the championship match.

Paque was the No. 9 seed heading into the tournament. He dominated his first match in two sets (6-1, 6-2) against Marco Tam (OCC) before a close match in the round of 16 against Saddleback's Connor Mengert, who he defeated 8-6 in a pro set. Paque found himself in the semi-final and final after back-to-back wins by default before taking down Goto in the championship match.

Riverside City College also took home the Orange Empire Conference doubles crown after a strong showing from their duo of Stanislas Bedrune and Victor Iove. Bedrune and Iove defeated No. 7 seeded Sergio Palacio and Tam Duong (OCC) 8-6 in one of the most intense matchups of the day. Bedrune/Iove won two matches and had one win by default on their way to the final.    

Irvine Valley College, who had the top two singles seeds and top three doubles seeds heading into the tournament, would default all matches in preparation for the state team championship finals.

The top 13 singles players and top 13 doubles teams from the conference tournament will advance to the regional and state competition which starts April 21 in Ojai as part of the prestigious Ojai Tournament.  Those results will be available at www.OjaiTourney.org.