Bulldogs see state title as their goal
PERKINSTON — The Mississippi Gulf Coast men's tennis team is a young group this year, including just two sophomores.
Coach Gary Bourgeois wants to leverage one thing his squad seems to have an abundance of: youthful enthusiasm.
"There's a lot of confidence," he said. "They know their goal, and they always talk about the goal. They talk about the ring. This team is probably more driven team than others we've had that had more talent."
Gulf Coast starts the 2017 home schedule Thursday against Jones County. Matches start at 1 p.m. at the MGCCC Tennis Complex.
The 2016 Bulldogs finished second in the MACJC/Region 23 Tournament standings, earning a berth in the NJCAA Division II Tournament. They went on to finish 16th, the best performance by any Mississippi school.
Noah Tippen (So, Trussville, Ala./Hewitt-Trussville) is one of the returning players, and he won state title at No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles, then went on to win the consolation bracket in No. 2 doubles at the national tournament. This year, Tippen figures to play at No. 4 singles.
"Noah won at No. 3 last year. The addition of Travis (Bell) bumps everybody down. That makes the bottom really strong. That's where we'll have the edge.
Brett Bowen (So, Oxford/Oxford) made it to the state semifinals at No. 4 singles, and he looks to be slotted in at No. 5 singles.
One of the newcomers is Travis Bell (Fr., Jackson, Calloway), who has a great background.
"He was one of the top players in the nation as a junior," Bourgeois said. "He decided not to play for a couple years, and then decided Gulf Coast was the place he wanted to make his comeback. He's now driven. He sees it can be a stepping stone."
John Murphy (Fr., Mobile, Ala., McGill-Toolen) is a quiet guy who figures to go about his business at No. 3 singles.
"He's a great grinder from the baseline," Bourgeois said. "He keeps the ball in play. He can outlast anyone. When the match is on the line, you want him in the lineup."
Noah Rowell (Fr., Wiggins/Stone) has been an outstanding local junior player, who Bourgeois sees as a leader among the freshmen.
Reid Cudd (Fr., Wiggins/Stone), James Estrada (Fr., Saucier/St. Stanislaus) and Gage Switzer (Fr., Gulfport/Gulfport) are among the group who will be fighting for the final two spots in the lineup with Bowen.
Switzer was a key member of MGCCC's outstanding soccer team in the fall, but figures to improve as the season goes along.
"This team has more depth that we've had since I've been here," Bourgeois said. "We have 12 guys . All of them can play. I wouldn't hesitate to put any of them in the lineup. There are some big battles going on for the bottom part of the lineup."
He likes the Bulldogs' chances in the MACJC/Region 23 Tennis Championship, which returns to the MGCCC Tennis Complex in April.
"I think we have the team to go all the way because of the depth we have," Bourgeois said. "We have the talent to compete with everybody. Meridian is the big dog because they have a lot coming back. I think we can hang with them. The addition of Travis makes the bottom part of the lineup stronger."
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