Men's Tennis Begins Season Hosting Glendale

By Jimmy Friery

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara City College Men's Tennis team began their 2026 season on Tuesday hosting conference foe Glendale. Ludwig Chan and Nick Bosch-Garza earned a hard-fought 8-6 doubles point, and Dylan Buckland won his singles match 6-2, 6-0 as the visitors won 7-2.

It was a long awaited first match for the Vaqueros, who had matches against Ventura and Bakersfield postponed last week due to rain.

"Our doubles play showed glimpses of high energy and a quick-to-the-ball mentality," head coach Danny Echt said. "That adjustment and smarter decision making showed improvement from the last few scrimmages."

The Vaqueros' No. 2 doubles team of Chan/Bosch-Garza asserted themselves by playing the ball down to their opponents' feet often and closing down the net. Part of the high energy Echt spoke of was exemplified by post-point Bryan Brothers' chest bumps on the way to an 8-6 victory.

"In doubles, I've seen improvement in using patterns from practice, shot selection, and especially communication with our partners," said Chan, this year's team captain. "We were supportive to each other and kept the positivity up to the last point."

In singles play, No. 6 Buckland showed a stable backcourt game and good variety in shot-making. His 6-2, 6-0 win was the lone singles point for Santa Barbara, but not for lack of trying.

Bosch-Garza, on court four, swapped 6-2 sets with his opponent before he was on the unlucky end of a tight 10-8 tiebreaker. Norwegian freshman Herman Sagedahl, on court five, similarly fell in a first-set tiebreaker before dropping the second.

"I really liked the intensity and willingness to fight in singles," Chan continued. "Overall, we tried to stay present and focus on the next point. Glendale was the stronger team today and respect to them for giving us a first solid battle."

The Vaqueros have the rest of the week off before returning to action next Tuesday at Mt. San Antonio. They will be back at home next Thursday, March 5 at 1 p.m. against Chabot.