The Hornets tennis teams have had a rough go of it in 2015. Playing in perhaps the toughest conference in the state, both the men’s and women’s teams sit at the bottom of the Orange Empire Conference standings. For most of the players on both squads, Thursday’s OEC Tournament will spell the end of the road.

The top 12 singles and top 12 doubles teams qualifiers from the OEC Tournament will qualify for the Calif. State Tournament in Ojai.

On the men’s side, Irvine Valley College is a dominant force. With nine of the top 12 seeds all coming from IVC, the Hornets are left without a single player seeded in the top 12.

However, there are a couple players that might make an impact on the doubles team. Hornets top men’s doubles team, sophomore Daniel Garcia and freshman Marcello Mariselli have an outside chance to qualify for state.

“It is going to be tough for the men’s singles, I just don’t see it happening this year,” said head coach Roger See. “However, I would not be surprised if Daniel and Marcello made it to Ojai for doubles.”

The men’s OEC Tournament will be held at Riverside Community College on Thursday, matches will begin at 8 a.m.

Entering the tournament on the women’s side, the leading squads are Riverside (10-0) and IVC (8-2) in team play. The odds will also be stacked against most of the Lady Hornets.

However, in singles play, Alexandra Altamirano enters the tournament as the 11 seed and the top 12 will move on to the state tournament at Ojai in a couple weeks. Women’s tennis coach, Scott Giles also thinks that the doubles team of Altamirano and Sabrina Formalejo has a decent chance at qualifying for the state tournament.

“Alex has a good chance to make it to state, that is why we are here after practice late everyday trying to push her to improve her game,” said women’s coach Akhom Inthavong.

The women’s OEC Tournament will be held at Saddleback College on Thursday, matches will being at 8 a.m.