Bayane named Pac-12 Men’s Player of the Week
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - California junior Gregory Bayane was voted Pac-12 men’s tennis Players of the Week for play from Jan. 21-27, the Conference office announced today.
Bayane won all four matches as 16th-ranked California won twice in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend at Pepperdine to qualify for the ITA National Men’s Team Indoor Championships. Against No. 33 Alabama, the Meaux, France, native teamed with fellow sophomore Chase Melton to beat the Crimson Tide’s Sean Donohue and Becker O’Shaughnessey, 6-3. Bayane then topped Stuart Kenyon, 6-3, 6-2, in singles as Cal came from behind to win the overall match, 4-2. Against host and 12th-ranked Pepperdine, the duo of Bayane and Melton was again the only Cal doubles team to win as they defeated David Sofaer and Pedro Leme, 6-2. As part of another come-from-behind effort, Bayane beat Leme in singles, 6-1, 6-2, and Cal won the match, 4-2.
“Gregory’s singles performances helped spark our team’s recovery from 2-0 deficits in both of our matches this weekend, " Cal head coach Peter Wright said. "He has high expectations for our team and he continues to be a positive force for us in both doubles and singles.”
The Bears will compete in the ITA National Team Indoor Championships in a couple of weeks, but not before taking on some dual meet action. Cal men’s tennis will host Hawaii on Thursday, Jan. 30 and St. Mary’s (Calif.) on Saturday, Feb. 1.