Five visiting tennis teams descended upon the campus April 5-7 for the Big 8 Conference North Tournament. Sierra College displayed tennis supremacy, sweeping the tournament in all categories.

Sierra’s Anton Saranchukov was the singles champion and doubles champion with Cameron McCalister. “It was a good tournament and Anton is amazing,” McCalister said. “It’s nice having a partner who wins singles and comes and wins doubles!”

Saranchukov, 18 is a native of Kazakhstan and one of the top-ranked players in the region. Sierra is a team stocked with foreign talent from the well of Eastern European super-power tennis teams.

“A friend from Europe on the women’s team told me the only sports that you play in Europe is soccer or tennis; you only pick one of those two,” said Sophomore Bear Cub tennis player Chace Sariaslani.

Saranchukov defeated American River’s Andrew Amor in the singles final and teamed with McCalister to beat Amor and his partner Nick Krebs in the doubles final.

The SRJC women played exceptionally well, making a run all the way to the finals Saturday morning before being derailed by Sierra.

Sierra’s Daria Kubikova, a 19-year-old native of Russia, was the singles champion and doubles champion with her teammate Jaimie Miller. Kubikova beat SRJC’s Monica Borowicz in the singles final before teaming up with Miller to beat Borowicz and Kelsea Thomas in the doubles final.

SRJC’s head tennis coach Jay Samonte was pleased with both the men’s and women’s team’s performance during the three day tournament, noting that several Bear Cub players qualified for post conference action. “Not a good Saturday, but we had a good Friday and a good Thursday,” Samonte said. “All three men’s doubles teams qualified for the NorCal’s, two of the Women’s doubles teams qualified, four singles ladies and three guys singles will also go.”

The Big 8 Conference schedule has ended and players will now look forward to competing in the NorCal Regional Playoffs and the Ojai Tennis Tournament.

“Whoever qualifies at NorCal’s will make it to state,” Samonte said. “And then we have Ojai, it’s a standalone traditional tournament.”

The 112 Annual Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament is where tennis players converge for the chance to earn prestige by facing top-flight competition. It is the biggest tournament in the United States, featuring competition that includes a vast spectrum of ages and college players. There is everything from a 10-and-under tournament, high school, community colleges and the Pac-12 Men’s Team Tournament. Players have a chance to fatten their pocketbook, an all-time high $20,000 in prize money will be awarded in the men’s and women’s open divisions.

The tournament will take place April 24-29 on over 100 courts and 30 locations throughout Ventura County.

“This year I’m taking the guys because last year I took the ladies; I switch back and forth,” Samonte said. “They allow three singles players and two doubles teams from every school to go.”

The site of the Big 8 tournament rotates every year and having it at SRJC was a big help financially for the tennis team but a lot of work. “I think most of the coaches like having the tournament being hosted by Santa Rosa, but it is hard for me to be a good coach and a tournament director at the same time,” Samonte said. “I don’t do 100 percent of my duties as a coach, because I’m running the tournament but it saved us money out of our budget.”
Bear Cubs’ No. 2 singles player Jason Duenas said, “Very hard fought matches, it was a tough day and the competition was fearless.” Duenas played strong on the courts over the course of the tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals and earning a playoff qualification. Numerous spectators were impressed with the guile and crafty skills the 41 year-old Duenas displayed.

“That guy sure keeps up with the kids, boy he must be in shape,” one spectator commented. “How old is he?”

Tables were set up outside including racket stringing machines scattered about, which flared up curiosity in passing students, who would often stop to inquire about the setup. “I’m putting new strings in rackets for guys, we have two stringer machines but they weren’t working so luckily Tom Ou got one from his house,” Bear Cubs tennis player Matt Draluck said. “Different strings are easier on your arm or elbow, it’s player preference on how they feel, some are really crisp while others are really soft.”

NorCal Regionals will begin at 2 p.m. on April 17, location to be determined. Teams that advance will earn a spot in the state championships on May 10-12 at Balboa Tennis Club in San Diego.