IRVINE VALLEY CLAIMS OEC TITLE - FIELD SET FOR OJAI

The Orange Empire Conference Championships delivered high-level competition across the board as Irvine Valley College captured the 2026 OEC men's tennis title at Fullerton College. The event not only crowned champions but also finalized a deep and competitive group of qualifiers for the upcoming 3C2A State Championships in Ojai, set for April 23–26.

IVC's dominance was evident throughout the tournament, led by freshman Philip Neuman, who was named OEC Singles Player of the Year. Alongside teammate Steven Anderson, Neuman also formed the conference's top doubles team, while head coach Ross Duncan earned Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Lasers to a perfect 8-0 conference record.

The singles draw featured multiple tight battles, including several three-set matches and super tiebreakers.

Matias Almeida (RCC) advanced with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 win in the qualifying round.

Jie Kashigawa (OCC) battled in a thrilling match 1-6, 6-2, 11-9 to secure his place.

Jonathan Hinkel (IVC) cruised with a 6-0, 6-1 victory to move on.

Bradley Yung (IVC) dominated his qualifier 6-1, 6-0.

Brayden Toniolo (FC) fought through a gritty three-set battle, winning 3-6, 6-3, 10-7 to punch his ticket to Ojai.

Ethan Lee (RCC) rolled to a 6-0, 6-3 win.

Rick Sun (MSAC) controlled his match 6-2, 6-2.

Ben Villalobos (MSAC) advanced with a solid 6-2, 6-2 performance.

The doubles bracket proved equally competitive, featuring several great finishes.

Top-seeded Hinkel/Petery (IVC) got an automatic bye to qualify.

Ochoa/Millan (MSAC) outlasted their opponent 6-4, 4-6, 12-10 in one of the tournament's most dramatic matches.

Khusanov/Romejko (MSAC) advanced with a strong 7-6(5), 6-3 performance.

Medel/Moore (OCC) survived a thriller over Toniolo/Doria (FC), 6-1, 6-7(5), 10-8.

The OEC will send 15 singles players and 12 doubles teams to Ojai, representing Irvine Valley, Riverside City, Mt. SAC, Orange Coast, and Fullerton College.

Singles Qualifiers:

Neuman (IVC), Sreeram (RCC), Anderson (IVC), Recchia (RCC), Platianitos (RCC), Magrin (RCC), McCann (IVC), Almeida (RCC), Villalobos (MSAC), Toniolo (FC), Yung (IVC), Lee (RCC), Hinkel (IVC), Sun (MSAC), Kashigawa (OCC)

Doubles Qualifiers

Neuman/Anderson (IVC), Recchia/Sreeram (RCC), Platianitos/Magrin (RCC), Almeida/Lee (RCC), Hinkel/Petery (IVC), McCann/Yung (IVC), Toniolo/Doria (FC), Villalobos/Sun (MSAC), Hennig/Kashiwagi (OCC), Khusanov/Romejko (MSAC), Medel/Moore (OCC), Ochoa/Millan (MSAC)

With Irvine Valley leading the way and every major program contributing qualifiers, the OEC enters the state championships as one of the deepest and most competitive conferences in California.

The 2026 All-OEC Team

Player of the Year - Philip Neuman, IVC

1. Ronith Sreeram, RCC
2. Steve Anderson, IVC
3. Giovanni Recchia, RCC
4. Charalampos Plataniotis, RCC
5. Vinicius Margin, RCC
6. Nevin McCann, RCC
7. Matias Almeida, RCC

Doubles
1. Philip Neuman/Steve Anderson, IVC
2. Giovanni Recchia/Ronith Sreeram, RCC
3. Charalampos Plataniotis/Vinicius Margin, RCC
4. Matias Almeida/Ethan Lee, RCC

Story by Phil Thurman, Fullerton College