Bulldogs wrap up season in 15th nationally
No. 14 Mississippi Gulf Coast closed out the NJCAA Division Men's Tennis Tournament with a loss Friday in the No. 3 doubles consolation semifinals.
The Bulldogs finished the tournament in Plano, Texas, in 15th place.
Hiram Havard (So., Vancleave/Vancleave) and John Thomas Frank (So., Eupora/Eupora) lost to a Wallace State duo 8-2 to conclude play.
"We started out the tournament hot, and that's exciting and cool," Gulf Coast coach Sam Blackburn said. "I was happy for them for that. After you have a really hot start, it can make for a tougher finish. That's kind of how it went. Overall, though, finishing in the top 15 is a good accomplishment. It was a good finish to a good year."
Gulf Coast finished the season with a 12-7 record in dual matches, including a 9-1 mark in the MACCC play. Four of those losses came to teams that finished 1-2-3-4 in Plano.
"We had some really big wins over some NAIA schools and some junior college teams," Blackburn said. "Getting second in the conference this year was a good result, and getting top 15 at the national tournament is a good result as well. There's a lot to be proud of. There are a lot of really awesome things to take away which we'll remember for a long time."
NJCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championship
Collin College
Plano, Texas
May 13-17
Friday Results
Consolation Bracket Doubles Semifinals
No. 3: Juan Amor-Brett Foster (Wallace State) def. John Thomas Frank-Hiram Havard (Gulf Coast), 8-2
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