Women’s Tennis hits first serves Wednesday
PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast was one win from an MACCC championship in last year's women's tennis season and one win from a Region 23 title.
The Bulldogs have an experienced lineup returning hoping to take those next steps in 2025. Their season starts with an exhibition at the University of New Orleans on Wednesday. First serves are set for 2 p.m.
"I'm expecting a team that can really go in and compete for a conference and region championship," Gulf Coast coach Sam Blackburn said. "I think the team is deep. I think when the team is fully stocked and healthy, we're dangerous in the ways that we play. The team was very good last year. We got runner-up in conference and region, and we have all those girls that came back."
There's a home exhibition match against Dillard University starting at 2 p.m. Friday. The first regular season match is Monday when Coastal Alabama-South visits the MGCCC Tennis Complex.
Internationals Danique Vermue (So., 's-Heerenhoek, Netherlands/Scheldemon College) and Valeria Callejo-Vivar (So., Madrid, Spain/I.E.S. Ortega y Gasset) are back to lead the squad. Vermue has impressed Blackburn with her confidence and toughness on the court.
Callejo-Vivar remarkably played all last season with a torn ACL. She's returned to form and is part of five sophomores coming back with something to prove.
"They know what it takes to win," Blackburn said. "And kind of they've also seen us lose, and they don't like the feeling. So, I know that they're going to step up and do a good job."
Lauren Sullivan (So., Laurel/Laurel Christian), Dallas Tanner (So., Hattiesburg/Oak Grove) and Mikenzy Dubrow (So., Biloxi/Biloxi) have that year of experience under their belts, too. They all played key roles in the team's success last year.
Isona Arnaus (Fr., Barcelona, Spain/Centre Lopez Vicuna) is the third international on the roster.
"She's one of the hardest working, hardest grinding players that I've seen," said Blackburn. "She is going to stay on the court for five hours if she needs to. I expect no easy losses to come her way this year. If she loses, it's gonna be a dogfight."
Meredith Matthews (Fr., Wiggins/Stone) and Reagan Meadows (Fr., Olive Branch/Lewisburg) are also newcomers, along with Karla Bethea (So., Edwards/Homeschool), who is a freshman in eligibility.
"Those girls love to work hard," Blackburn said. "It's this whole team full of girls that want to be on the court longer. And that's what we want in a team. They can't get enough and they are also just some of the most positive people as well. We've got the whole recipe for good things to happen."
The Bulldogs finished 12th at the NJCAA Tournament in Tyler, Texas, last year. Jones (seventh) and Meridian (10th) finished ahead them, and Copiah-Lincoln and Northwest Mississippi tied for 16th. The MACCC figures to be just as tough in 2025.
Blackburn's squad have set their sights high this year.
"You know, they have one mission — to win a title this year," he said. "I think they know they have the capability to do something big. So, we think we have a shot."
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