MGCCC Women earn historic third-place finish

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Women's Tennis Team set a new standard for the program this week, with the Bulldogs leaving Sumter, S.C., Wednesday with a third-place trophy from the NJCAA Division II Women's Tennis Championship.

"It's quite an accomplishment for the first year in D-II to finish in the top three in the country," Gulf Coast coach Sam Blackburn said. "It makes a statement for where our program is, and what we're capable of. It's a big deal for our school, our team and for the girls showing how the hard work has paid off."

The Bulldogs tied with Copiah-Lincoln for third with 31 points. Jones had 48, and Wallace State had 31. 

Victoria Ros Fabuel played in the final match of the season for the Bulldogs, falling in an epic battle in the No. 3 singles finals. She lost 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 to Jones' Maria Martinez.

"She had an amazing match. She saved about five match points," Blackburn said. "She gave herself a chance to win the match and gave it everything she had. Sometimes that's how it goes. Her opponent was tough. Victoria was a fighter and gave herself a chance to win a singles title. I'm very proud of here. I think she can go win it next year."

Gulf Coast closed out the 2026 season in style, and the team steadily picked up steam. The Bulldogs return about half the roster next year, and they'll have the experience of deep runs in the national tournament to pass along to the incoming freshmen. 

"This team has fought really hard," Blackburn said. "The improvement and the togetherness they have shown as the year went on, they kept getting stronger. It's all about them being coachable and their hard work and determination. It showed me what they were made of."

Tournament Central: https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draws.aspx?id=d4a476e6-7dcc-444a-8210-584be62743cb.

NJCAA Division II Women's Tennis Championship

May 2-6, 2-26

Palmetto Tennis Center

Sumter, S.C.

Saturday, May 2

All Times Central

Wednesday, May 6

Singles Final

No. 2: (1) Maria Martinez (Jones) def. (2) Victoria Ros Fabuel (GC), 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7)

Team standings

Team                               Points

1. Jones                            48

2. Wallace State                 39

3. Gulf Coast                     31

3. Copiah-Lincoln              31

5. Coastal Alabama            29.5

6. East Central                   28.5

7. Northwest Mississippi     27

8. Hinds                            24.5

9. Bevill State                    19.5

10. Mesa                           18.5

11. Southwest Mississippi   18

12. Oxford                        13

13. Meridian                      10.5

13. Illinois Valley              10.5

15. Mercer                        8

16. Rowan-Gloucester        5

17. Jacksonville                 3

18. Hudson Valley             2.5

19. Lake County                2

19. Sauk Valley                 2

21. Southern Arkansas        0

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