WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – California seniors Billy Griffith and J.T. Nishimura closed out strong careers as Golden Bears on Thursday at the NCAA individual championships, as Griffith lost in the singles round of 32 and the duo fell in doubles in the opening round of 32 at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex.
 
The 54th-ranked Griffith ended his senior season with a 16-14 record when he lost to Arkansas' 18th-ranked Jose Salazar, 6-1, 7-5.
 
To start NCAA doubles, the 33rd-ranked Nishimura and Griffith faced tough opponents in North Carolina's second-seeded and second-ranked William Blumberg and Robert Kelly. The Bears fell to the Tar Heels, 6-4 6-4, and ended the year with a 24-12 record.
 
Earlier this month, the seniors led the Bears into the NCAA team tournament, as No. 34 Cal upset No. 24 N.C. State, 4-1, in the first round and fell to 11th-seeded and 12th-ranked Texas, 4-0, in the round of 32 in Austin, Texas.
 
"I'm incredibly pleased Billy and J.T. had the opportunity to finish their careers at Cal by being selected for the NCAA singles and doubles tournaments," said Peter Wright, Cal's Director of Men's Tennis. "Billy's upset victory over the No. 8 seed yesterday is another example of why he is one of the best players in college tennis. They had some opportunities in their doubles match today, and I think the North Carolina team they lost to is one of the favorites to win the tournament.
 
"J.T. and Billy truly represent what it means to be a Golden Bear, as their journey took them all the way to the pinnacle of college tennis. It's difficult to put into words how much they've meant to our team, and I'm so incredibly proud of the young men they've become. They have represented their families, the university, our team and themselves in an incredibly classy way, and I'll forever be thankful for having the opportunity to coach them."
 
NCAA Individual Championships
May 24, 2018, in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Wake Forest Tennis Complex
 
NCAA Singles Round of 32
No. 18 Jose Salazar (Arkansas) def. No. 54 Billy Griffith (Cal), 6-1, 7-5
 
NCAA Doubles Round of 32
[2] No. 2 William Blumberg/Robert Kelly (UNC) def. No. 33 Billy Griffith/J.T. Nishimura (Cal), 6-4, 6-4