MGCCC leads Mississippi at nationals again
PERKINSTON – The Mississippi Gulf Coast men's tennis program closed out its third year in the past four being the top MACJC team at the NJCAA Division I Men's Tennis Tournament.
"I'm really proud of the things our team accomplished this year," Gulf Coast coach Gary Bourgeois said. "Our team's depth was a major key for us, because we endured a lot of injuries."
The team finished 16th at the event in Plano, Texas, last month, with the Bulldogs winning two national consolation brackets. Sam Blackburn won the No. 2 singles finals in the backdraw, with Brennan O'Keefe and Noah Tippen defeating Meridian in No. 2 doubles.
Gulf Coast was in three other consolation finals, as well. O'Keefe lost at No. 6 singles, and Sam Blackburn and Bryan Allen lost at No. 1 doubles. Chris Diep, who won a first-round match in the main draw, and Brett Bowen lost in the No. 3 doubles finals.
Tippen and O'Keefe teamed for three MACJC/Region 23 championships at the tournament hosted by Gulf Coast. Tippen won No. 3 singles and O'Keefe won at No. 6, then won No. 2 doubles together.
The Bulldog men went 11-2 in conference and have two undefeated MACJC seasons in the past four. They've won one MACJC/Region 23 championship and finished as runners up twice, going 42-7 in the state. Bourgeois has won six Coach of the Year awards.
For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCAthletics on Twitter and BulldogLIVE on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.
