California Team Page
BERKELEY - Gregory Bayane claimed the Pac-12 Player of the Week honor for his play in California's recent wins over Sacramento State and Duke. Against the Blue Devils - who were ranked fourth by the ITA at the time - the Cal sophomore's singles win clinched the 4-3 upset on March 10 at the Hellman Tennis Complex.
The Golden Bears were ranked No. 24 in last week's ITA poll, but on the strength of their two victories they moved up to No. 16 in Tuesday's ITA rankings.
Against Duke, Bayane survived multiple match points against him in his 6-1, 5-7, 7-6(4), upset of 70th-ranked Chris Mengel. He also paired with sophomore Chase Melton to upset the 43rd-ranked doubles team of Mengel and Fred Saba, 8-5, in doubles, as the Bears went on to win the doubles point.
In the 5-2 win over Sacramento State on March 7 in the state capital, Bayane and Melton's victory over Roy Brandys/Henrik Raag, 8-6, clinched the doubles point. A product of Meaux, France, Bayane also topped Brandys, 6-1, 7-5, in singles.
This marks Bayane's first Pac-12 Player of the Week honor of his career and the first for Cal this season.
The No. 16 Bears host No. 12 Pepperdine at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the Hellman Tennis Complex.