Hard-working Women’s Tennis team ready for 2021

PERKINSTON — New Mississippi Gulf Coast women's tennis coach Sam Blackburn has seen a lot of great things out of his Bulldogs in his short time in charge.

"Our girls are going to have to step up and play some big-time tennis if we want to make a run at conference and nationals this year," he said. "I think they have it in them. We have a lot of hard-workers and a lot of talent."

Gulf Coast starts the season Friday when Southwest Mississippi visits the MGCCC Tennis Complex. First serves are set for 1 p.m.

Blackburn, who was a state champion during his two seasons at Perk in 2015-16, has a star playing at No. 1 singles. Krissy Georgieva (So., Epsom and Ewell High School/Sutton England) returns after her abbreviated first season at Gulf Coast.

He thinks she's got the ability to go to play at a big school after she graduates, and she's going to be a leader of the team this year.

"I'm expecting big things from her like last year," Blackburn said. "She really started to get dialed in around the middle of last season, and then we got cut short. Now that she's more experienced and she's figured her game a little bit more, I'm expecting big things from her. She hits a really big ball, and she's confident."

Gulf Coast tried to fill its other out-of-state spot over the break, but an international player fell through at the last minute. That leaves it up to Ally Bowen (Fr., Oxford/Lafayette County) to play at No. 2. She a talented player who strikes the ball well and can really get around the court. 

Former Stone standouts Anna Stringer (So., Stone/Wiggins) and Kaylen Bond (So., Stone/Perkinston) look like the Nos. 3 and 4 players. Stringer is quiet, but she's crafty with great hands that make her a good doubles player. Bond is one of the hardest workers on the team who leads by example and motivates teammates. 

Returners Tia Topps (So., Grenada/Grenada) and Chasity Snyder (So., Florence/Florence) have the early-season edge on the final two spots. Topps is always looking for more drills and extra instruction, and Blackburn worked a lot with Snyder last year to help her improve. Ashley Chelette (Fr., Vancleave/Vancleave) and Kasey Kent (Fr., Ridgeland/Ridgeland) are in the mix to move up into those spots, as well.

Georgieva and Bowen will play No. 1 doubles, with Stringer and Bond at No. 2. Topps and Snyder will be at No. 3.

There's a new postseason format this year, with the top team in the regular season earning the MACCC championship. The top six teams in the league will advance to the Region 23 Tournament, which will be a team format. No. 3 will play No. 6, and No. 4 will play No. 5. The top two teams will get byes into the semifinals.

"The women's team this year is going to have to bring a lot of grit and energy this season," Blackburn said. "It's going to be a tough conference overall." 

Jones, Meridian, Copiah-Lincoln and Itawamba will be in the mix with Gulf Coast for the postseason.

"I'm very excited to see the men's and women's team play," Blackburn said. "They're full of great people, and we're going to be well respected on the court as well as being a team folks don't want to have to play. I'm excited to see the character and the integrity of our players be revealed throughout the season." 

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