Bakersfield College’s tennis teams had mixed results Feb. 24 against Santa Barbara City College. The women posted a 7-2 victory while the men lost 7-2.

Shabrena Dickerson, BC’s No. 1 player, returned to her winning ways by defeating Santa Barbara’s Meghan Schaefer 6-1, 6-2. Dickerson expressed how important it was for her to bounce back from last week’s loss and get a win for her team.

“We wanted to pull out all wins because last year we came in second. We want to end as number one,” said Dickerson.

The men weren’t as successful with Santa Barbara as they lost Feb. 24.

The men were swept in doubles play and only won two matches. Kevin Lott of BC beat Elliot Markowitz of Santa Barbara 6-4, 6-1, and BC’s Matt Booth defeated Santa Barbara’s Zack Scott 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Feb. 26, the men had a bye, while the BC women ended up losing that day to Cuesta fairly early due to surrendering five out of six singles matches to the rivals. Sarena Dickerson was the only BC player to post a victory, defeating Erin McGurty of Cuesta College 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

“I’m very proud of all of our women, they played very well, but Cuesta was just a little bit better at each position,” said BC women’s coach Gene Lundquist.

BC swept Cuesta, winning all 3 doubles matches to bring the final score to 5-4. Shabrena and Sarena Dickerson nearly skunked Devin Merigold and Whitney Whiting of Cuesta by winning the match 8-1. Coach Lundquist switched things up and had Katie O’Leary playing alongside Emily Carnal. The changed paid off as duo beat Cuesta’s Hannah Crampton and Bree Rowan 8-5. BC’s Jessica Burrow accompanied by Cooper Niswonger won the third and final doubles match 8-6 by beating Laura Haines and Hannah Spencer of Cuesta.

Lundquist was extremely impressed with the way that his team played in the doubles matches.

Dickerson explained how important it was to remain competitive against Cuesta.

“We can get them the next time. We just have to win one more singles match.” “It kind of gave us hope” said Dickerson.

Cuesta, 2008 conference champions, was undefeated last year, finished fourth in the state, while BC finished sixth.

“I’m really hopeful that when we play them here in Bakersfield we’ll have a much different result” said Lundquist.

The BC men and women will face Allan Hancock March 5. The men are at home and the women travel to Santa Maria.