Opponents of the Bakersfield College’s men’s tennis team have faced a double threat this season from doubles Matthew Greer and Marc Johns, according to Rob Slaybaugh, BC men’s tennis coach.
Greer and Johns are currently in the top 15 for the state’s doubles. However, according to Greer, they have not been officially ranked yet.
Slaybaugh says the two players are both “skilled volleyers.” Slaybaugh says Greer works the net aggressively. Both, he says, consistently place well as servers. However, Greer admits that he wants to sharpen his backhand. Nevertheless, in the match with L.A. Pierce, March 15, Greer won both singles and doubles.
Pierce was a formidable opponent, Greer said.
“Pierce kept the ball in play, but I had the momentum and forced the points,” Greer said.
“I put away more shots than they did.”
Greer credits Johns for their undefeated doubles season. In their last tournament together in Modesto, Feb. 15, the pair beat last year’s number four in the state.
Unfortunately, Johns will be missing an unspecified number of matches due to a viral infection, according to Slaybaugh and Greer.
According to Greer, Johns is a shrewd player who can “play off” their rivals’ strengths and weaknesses in serving and volleying. Greer said that Johns’ forehead is his greatest talent. Greer said their fiercest matches have been with Glendale and Santa Monica. Ventura was also very tough on the team, according to Greer.
“Ventura is at the top of the league; they’re all around good players,” Greer said.
The team lost to Ventura 3-6 March 8, but won against Allan Hancock 7-2 on March 13. Their overall record is 7-1 with a WSC record of 3-1.