No. 15 Bulldogs top No. 16 Hinds

PERKINSTON — The No. 15 Mississippi Gulf Coast women's tennis team faced a stern test Tuesday, and the Bulldogs passed with flying colors.

The Bulldogs beat No. 16 Hinds 7-2 at the MGCCC Tennis Complex to earn their second straight win.

"That team is a strong team ranked right behind us in the national rankings," Gulf Coast coach Sam Blackburn said. "We knew that they were gonna be a tough match. Every court was going to be a battle, and it pretty much was. The girls really showed the growth and development that they've had over the last few months. The hard work paid off. They were fit, and that really helped us get the win."

Gulf Coast is 3-2 overall, 3-1 MACCC. Hinds is 5-3, 3-1.

Pia Pugliese (Fr., San Juan, Argentina/Colegio Central Universitario Mariano Moreno) and Paige Baronich (Fr., St. Martin/St. Martin) helped turn the match in Gulf Coast's direction by gutting out a win at No. 2 doubles. They won a tiebreak 7-4 for a 2-1 lead headed to singles.

"They did a fantastic job getting a big win at 2 doubles," Blackburn said. "Then they both won (singles) in straight sets. We really needed both of those courts. They did an amazing job, and their attitude was amazing. Their effort was great, and they played really good tennis today. I'm very proud of both of them." 

Pugliese won 6-4, 6-3 at No. 1 singles, and Baronich won 7-5, 6-3 at No. 4.

Katelyn Walker (Fr., Sumrall/Sumrall) clinched the match with a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 5 singles.

Gulf Coast was scheduled to play a scrimmage against the University of New Orleans on Wednesday, but the match has been postponed due to a Privateers' scheduling conflict. The Bulldogs will travel to Goodman on Friday to play Holmes. First serves are at 4:30 p.m.

Results

Team: Gulf Coast 7, Hinds 2

Doubles

No. 1: Rodia Noudogbessi-Daniela Lopez (HIN) def. Isona Arnaus-Victoria Ros Fabuel, 8-6

No. 2: Pia Pugliese-Paige Baronich (GC) def. Jaqueline Vargas-Macie Curtis, 9-8 (4)

No. 3: Katelyn Walker-Meredith Matthews (GC) def. Taryn Green-Landry Parks, 8-3

Singles

No. 1: Pugliese (GC) def. Noudogbessi, 6-4, 6-3

No. 2: Arnaus (GC) def. Lopez, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2

No. 3: Vargas (HIN) def. Ros Fabuel, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6)

No. 4: Baronich (GC) def. Macie, 7-5, 6-3

No. 5: Walker (GC) def. Parks, 6-2, 6-0

No. 6: Rogers (GC) def. Green, 5-7, 7-5, 10-5

For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.