Irvine Valley's men's tennis team competed in a scrimmage last week, but officially started its 2026 season on Thursday at four-year Hope International University.
And the Lasers got what to looks like a promising season off to a great start.
IVC defeated Hope International, 4-3, on a win on the final match of the day on the singles court at the Fullerton Tennis Center.
Irvine Valley captured all three of the doubles matches to claim the first point of the day.
In singles play, Irvine Valley took three of the six matches, including the final one.
Sophomore Jonathan Hinkel defeated Mohamed El Sheikh, 6-4, 6-7 (12), 10-6, to give the Lasers the victory.
Other wins in singles for IVC came on the first court by freshman Philip Neuman, who battled for a 7-6, 7-5 win and by freshman Steven Anderson, 7-6, 6-2.
In doubles to start the match the teams of Neuman and Anderson (6-4), Bradley Yung and Nevin McCann (6-4) and Hinkel and Richard Petery (6-0).
Rain is expected next week and there could be postponements.
But the Lasers have their first Orange Empire Conference match of the season on the radar. That is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 24 against one of the other top teams in the state, Riverside, at home at 2 p.m.
Irvine Valley 4, Hope International 3
Doubles
1. Philip Neuman/Steven Anderson (IVC) def. Reid Lizardo/Karan Srivastava (HIU) – 6-4
2. Bradley Yung/Nevin McCann (IVC) def. Kaito Henderson/Kento Henderson (HIU) – 6-4
3. Jonathan Hinkel/Richard Petery (IVC) def. Dylan Barrett/Sebastien Dizon Perez (HIU) – 6-0
Singles
1. Philip Neuman (IVC) def. Karan Srivastava (HIU) – 7-6, 7-5
2. Steven Anderson (IVC) def. Reid Lizardo (HIU) – 7-6, 6-2
3. Kaito Henderson (HIU) def. Richard Petery (IVC) – 6-1, 6-4
4. Sebastien Dizon Perez (HIU) def. Nevin McCann (IVC) – 6-3, 2-6, 12-10
5. Kento Henderson (HIU) def. Bradley Yung (IVC) – 7-5, 6-0
6. Jonathan Hinkel (IVC) def. Mohamed El Sheikh (HIU) 6-4, 6-7 (12), 10-6
