MTEN3/9/2015 12:19 AM | By: Cal Athletics
Goransson, Nishimura Win Consolation Doubles Title
LA JOLLA, Calif. – Andre Goransson and
J.T. Nishimura – two of California's youngest players –beat two tennis veterans to win the consolation final at the Pacific Coast Men's Doubles Championship on Sunday at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. The tournament ended on Sunday, as Goransson, a sophomore, and Nishimura, a freshman, upset the third-seeded pair of USC head coach Peter Smith and former Trojan Kaes Van't Hof, 8-6.
“Andre and J.T. played their best tennis of the weekend in today's final,” Cal head coach Peter Wright said. “Both of them served well, and the difference today was their effectiveness at the net. It's nice to see the positive chemistry of this new doubles team.”
Goransson has played most of this season alongside junior Oskar Wikberg, while Nishimura has played most of his first year as a Golden Bear with fellow freshman Billy Griffith.
Their opponents in the final had a big edge in experience over the Bears. Smith is in his 13th year as USC's head coach and led the Trojans to the NCAA team title in 2014. He competed professionally, including at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. Playing under Smith at USC, Van't Hof won the NCAA doubles and then-Pac-10 doubles championships in 2008.
Cal competes again on the road when the Bears play in the BNP Paribas Open Collegiate Challenge from March 20-22 in Indian Wells, California.
Pacific Coast Men's Doubles Championship
March 8, 2015, in La Jolla, Calif.
La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club
Consolation Final
Andre Goransson/J.T. Nishimura (Cal) def. [3] Peter Smith/Kaes Van't Hof – 8-6
