Bulldogs tennis team intent on carrying on legacy
PERKINSTON – Mississippi Gulf Coast finished 12th at the NJCAA national tournament, the best by any MACJC school last year.
Despite that final success, the year was a bit of disappointment. The men's tennis team stumbled in the state and region tournament, finishing second.
"Injuries really killed us last year," coach Gary Bourgeois said. "We went undefeated in the regular season then had injuries at state. We've got the talent, it's just a matter of them executing."
Gulf Coast has been undefeated in the state two of the last three years. The Bulldogs had a strong fall, and the return of their No. 1 singles player from last year beefs up the lineup ahead of the season opener Feb. 6.
"We got Skylar Flowers back in the spring," Bourgeois said. "He's a big addition. He got to the finals of the state's No. 1 singles and won the first set there."
Flowers will team with Sam Blackburn to form a formidable No. 1 doubles team, which should have a dogfight with strong challenges from Meridian and Itawamba. Blackburn won the MACJC/Region 23 No. 1 doubles title with Brandon Lane last year and was named ITA Region III Player to Watch after the season.
Blackburn, who has committed to play at Troy University, will play No. 2 singles.
Chris Diep has continued strong play from the end of last season, and big-serving Bryan Allen was part of the No. 3 doubles team and is battling for the No. 6 singles spot.
A wildcard this year will be Brennan O'Keefe, a former top junior from St. Martin who is returning to the courts after kicking for the Pearl River football team the last two seasons.
"This last semester, he decided he wanted to come here and play tennis," Bourgeois said. "I'm expecting big things out of him toward the end of the season."
Freshman Noah Tipped won two matches at the ITA Regional Championships before falling to the eventual champ in the quarterfinals. He has been refining his game, picking up tactics and strategies to accompany his powerful strokes.
"Now he's really playing smart instead of just being a banger," said Bourgeois.
Brett Bowen is following a similar development curve and should contribute this year. Brooks Bradley and Adam Hayes are benefitting from tougher competition.
The MACJC picture is jumbled because some schools added international players during the holiday break. Bourgeois says there are three reasons the Bulldogs will again be gunning for the state title.
"We've got experience and the legacy of being undefeated two of the last three seasons," he said. "We've also got great leadership that will push us this year."
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