Vaquero Men’s tennis fared well in matches at the Western State Conference tournament this weekend at Ventura College. The Vaqueros are now 5-5 in conference play.

Doubles team Mattias Neuman and Johnny Sappaiboon have both qualified to compete in both the regional singles and doubles competition.

If they do well at regionals, coach Don Lowry feels that they are capable of competing at the state tourney.

“They are competitive, and if they play to their potential, they’ve got a shot,” he said.

Due to poor weather conditions in Ventura, attending coaches made the joint decision to call off the rest of the tournament after the athletes had qualified for the quarterfinals.

Though Neuman and Sappaiboon are the only players advancing on to compete in the individuals’ and doubles tournament, the entire team has lots to look forward to.

“They all played hard and represented the school well,” said Lowry.

The Vaqs won five of their seven in the first round of the singles matches and won two of their three doubles matches.

“The guys who won their first round of matches played up to their capability,” he said. “They were up against tough players right off the bat. They did a good job.”

“The top half of the team has held most of the responsibility and pressure during the season,” coach Lowery said. According to player Johnny Sappaiboon, what the bottom half may lack in skill they is made up for in improvement and heart.

“Our team is a combination of both heart and skill,” he said.

According to Lowery, player Mattias Neuman is being considered for Western State Conference Co-Player of the Year and Athlete of the Year.

In addition to having Neuman and Sappainoon compete in regionals, the men’s team will continue their schedule.

Vaquero players will have the chance to compete in the 107th annual Ojai Invitational Tournament.

The April 26 tournament is one of the largest and oldest amateur tournaments in the world with about 1500 entries.

“It’s basically the tournament to win,” said Lowry.