Gulf Coast beats Faulkner State

PERKINSTON – Mississippi Gulf Coast reversed a fall loss to Faulkner State on Monday, and did so in a big way.

The Bulldogs downed the Sun Chiefs 7-2 at the MGCCC Tennis Complex.

 "Today's effort was incredible, seeing as they beat us 6-3 in the fall," Gulf Coast coach Gary Bourgeois said. "We really played inspired tennis today without our No. 1 player Skyler Flowers, who is injured right now. They really stepped up and took care of business. They played smart tennis and took the will away from Faulkner State."

No. 4 Brett Bowen and No. 5 Chris Diep needed third sets to win their singles matches. Bowen, Diep, Noah Tippen on Brennan O'Keefe each won singles and doubles matches.

Bryan Allen stepped into the No. 1 slot in singles and doubles, teaming with Sam Blackburn to nearly win their match. They fell late 9-7, and he narrowly missed forcing a third set in singles play.

Gulf Coast returns to play immediately, hosting East Central on Tuesday. The match starts at 2:30 p.m. The Bulldogs are 4-1 in MACJC play.

"They're improving a lot," Bourgeois said. "We beat them the last time we played them. We can't have a letdown."

Results

Team: MGCCC 7, Faulkner State 2

Doubles

No. 1: Aaron Rose-Keegan Lowery (FSU) def. Bryan Allen-Sam Blackburn 9-7

No. 2: Noah Tippen-Brennan O'Keefe (MGCCC) def. Andre Li-Bryan Cochran 8-2

No. 3: Brett Bowen-Chris Diep (MGCCC) def. Robert Talmage-Ross Kimble 8-4

Singles

No. 1: Rose (FSU) def. Allen 6-2, 7-5

No. 2: Blackburn (MGCCC) def. Lowery 6-0, 6-3

No. 3: Tippen (MGCCC) def. Li 6-3, 6-1

No. 4: Bowen (MGCCC) def. Kimble 6-2, 2-6, 10-8

No. 5: Diep (MGCCC) def. Talmage 3-6, 6-4, 10-8

No. 6: O'Keefe (MGCCC) def. Cochran 6-3, 6-0

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCAthletics on Twitter and BulldogLIVE on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.