As the Fresno City College Men’s Tennis team arrived at Pierpont Racquet Club looking to defeat Ventura College for the state championship, the rain came down hard and the stage was set for a day full of twists.
The teams traveled to Ojai Valley Athletic Club, 30 minutes away from Pierpont, to continue the match. But the rain would once again follow the teams after the match had already started.
And so they moved back to Pierpont.
This time the match would continue without any further delays and the Rams would defeat the Ventura Pirates 5-1 to capture their second straight California Community College Athletics Association Men’s Tennis State Championship.
In the doubles matches, FCC’s duo of Sam Bertram and Adam DeRomas defeated Ventura’s Cameron Lee and Vitor Mendes. Scott Gray and Alessandro Moriano added another victory for the Rams as they defeated Tom Douglas and Hans Baumstark. Alec Bessinger and Joey Rivera brought the third victory in doubles with a win over Zach Pitman and Victor Dos Santos.
Scott Gray and Alec Bessinger brought victories for FCC in singles matches. Gray defeated Hans Baumstark, 6-2, 7-5 while Bessinger defeated Andy Dervot, 6-2, 6-3.
“Based on the score it looked easy but it was actually a lot tougher. We were playing Ventura on their home court so it made the environment good and it was hard fought,” said head coach Steve Loop.
Though the rain appeared to be an inconvenience at first, the Rams used it to their advantage.
“The rain didn’t affect us that much because the first time we didn’t really get started yet and the second time it gave us a chance to talk in the van and regroup,” said Loop.
It was the 40th straight win for the Rams, who finished the season 19-0.
Despite all the success the Rams had prior to this season, there were no signs of complacency coming into this season.
“We weren’t worried about being hungry because we were just focused on the next task. State championship was always the goal but we just took the small steps to get there,” said Loop.
Like the previous years, Loop brought together international students from multiple countries and created a strong brotherhood.
This year, the team featured players from Australia, Italy and France.
“The kids that are international check in the rankings and we’re one of the first colleges they call. Also I’ve coached the coaches of some of them,” said Loop. “The key is to make sure they are welcome once they get here and create a bond. Anybody that has seen us practice knows that we’re close.”
Sam Bertram, a sophomore from Australia, helped the Rams clinch their second straight team championship, then went on to win the individual title.
No.1 Bertram defeated No. 7 Vitor Mendes of Ventura 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 for the title.
“I’ve been with most of these boys for two years now; the rest of them one year. Every one of us has a completely different personality than the next guy,” said Bertram. “We always have the best time together. It’s gonna be sad when we say bye.”
He adds that the team came into the season confident but humble.
“We never doubted each other but we would never say we got it under wraps,” said Bertram. “We always felt like we were the favorites but that’s something you have to prove.”
