Women’s Tennis Shines in OEC Opener and Return to Play

After over a year absence from the courts, the Riverside City College women's tennis team resumed play following a cancelled season that saw them earn a record of 10-1 prior to the shutdown. The Tigers came out hungry in their Orange Empire Conference (OEC) opener on the road against the Cypress College Chargers with a lot of new faces, but very few butterflies.

The day began with a strong doubles showing that handed the Tigers an early 3-0 advantage.

The top duo featured freshman tandem Keeley Arendt and Daisie Flores. They worked an 8-6 victory, backed by an 8-6 win from the number two doubles team featuring freshman pair Samantha Treat and Kalena Yanez.

Freshman Marvonna Vaxter and Semaj Walter rounded out the pairings and cruised to an 8-1 triumph.

After her inaugural victory, Treat donned the top singles cap and found herself in an intense back and forth affair. She was able to finish the job in two sets with a 6-4, 6-4 victory. Arendt was the first singles player to finish by taking the number two Charger down with ease at 6-0, 6-1.

Yanez, who acted as the fifth slotted singles player, mirrored Arendt's score at 6-1, 6-0. Vaxter was featured in the lone three-set match and reign supreme by the final scores of 5-7, 6-2, 10-7.

Walter faltered in the fourth position 2-6, 5-7.

The Tigers (1-0) will completed a two-match stint against the Chargers this Thursday, April 15 at 2 p.m. on their home courts. Fans are prohibited to attend due to COVID-19 restrictions.