Gulf Coast will host MACJC/Region 23 Tennis Tournament

PERKINSTON – Mississippi Gulf Coast will host the 2016 MACJC/Region 23 Tennis Tournament next week at its state-of-the-art MGCCC Tennis Complex.

Action featuring men's and women's teams from 10 community college across the state starts Wednesday at 1 p.m. Play on Thursday and Friday will start at 8 a.m., with finals beginning Saturday at 9 a.m.

More than 120 student-athletes will be taking part. Follow the action at Tournament Central: http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tournament.

The website has links the six singles and three doubles brackets for men and women, as well as team standings. Those results will be updated in real time throughout the event.

It's the second time in three years the tournament has been played in Perkinston.

"Everything went off on schedule," Gulf Coast coach Gary Bourgeois said. "We had a great team. Everybody worked hard and did their jobs real well. I think everybody was impressed."

The eight-court facility will have non-stop action. It opened in 2014 and features post-tension concrete courts, lights and covered benches for the players.

"It's very important for us to showcase our facility," Bourgeois said. "We have the best facilities in the state."

The No. 18 Bulldogs are 11-2 in MACJC play and will be contending for the state title. The Lady Bulldogs are 7-6 in conference, but are 4-2 at Perkinston, making them dangerous in the draw.

The Gulf Coast teams know the speed of their courts and have other benefits.

"It gives our players an opportunity to sleep in their own beds," Bourgeois said. "We don't have to travel, so that's a key intangible. You come to the court well-rested."

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