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HOME OF THE AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE BEAVERS

Beavers Perform Well at ITA Cup in Rome, Georgia

Men's Tennis at ITA

Three Beaver players represented Northern California as the best community college singles player (Younes Kodij) and the best community college doubles team (Jack Hall/Gabe Kinder) in the region at the prestigious ITA Cup, played in Rome, Georgia. The event hosts each of the country's regional winners in a draw to determine the national community college champion, and determine who will earn the berth in the small college championships against the NCAA DII, NCAA DIII, and NAIA winners.

In the singles, Kodiji was replacing the NorCal ITA champion, and fellow ARC team member, Robin Sharma. Sharma had defeated Kodiji in the NorCal final in a grueling 3-set match. Kodiji lost to #2 seed Jaycer Lyeons (Tyler) in the first round of the ITA Cup, and then to #3 seeded Tao Castillo (ASA Miami) in the first round of the back-draw. In the 7th/8th place match Kodiji found his rhythm and comfort level and played by far his best match of the tournament, beating Franco Roldan (Itawamba) by the score of 6-1, 7-6(1) to earn the 7th place national singles finish for community college players.

In the doubles, Hall/Kinder lost a competitive first round match to the #2 seeded, and eventual champions, Castillo/ de Oliveira Cruz (ASA Miami) by the score of 6-2, 6-3. In the first round of the back-draw, Hall/Kinder rebounded from their first round loss, and fought back from a second set lapse, to beat the Riverside City tandem of Lee/Mityurin 6-3, 6-4. The Riverside duo had won the SoCal regional title, so there is a good chance the Beavers will come across them again later in the season. By beating the Riverside team, Hall/Kinder would play in the 5th/6th place match against Branicki jr./Tanjuatco from the Marion Military Institute. The Beaver duo lost the first set in a tough battle, 6-4. In the second set the two teams were on serve at 3-4 when the match was interrupted by rain for the second time. Eventually officials decided to halt play completely and rule the match unfinished.

The ITA Cup was an amazing opportunity for the young Beaver team and will serve as an invaluable learning experience for Hall, Kinder, and Kodiji as they enter the regular season in January.