Eagles eyeing another region championship

By Dennis Watson/Special to The Star The Meridian Star

MERIDIAN —The sun eventually reared itself to set the stage for a lovely day at Northeast Park, as the MCC tennis team sought to capture an unprecedented fourth consecutive NJCAA Region 23 Championship. The Eagle netters are well on their way of doing so, after an impressive first day of competition.

MCC was paced by the dominant play of their two No. 1 seeds. The men’s No. 1, sophomore Lucio Cangiano, looked extremely sharp in his opening match against Jones County Junior College’s Cade Sherman. The Brazilian won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0.

“Lucio is our team captain, and we are extremely proud of what he’s been able to accomplish so far this year,” said MCC coach McPhail.

Cangiano is currently ranked second in the region, and will compete in his bracket’s championship match tomorrow.

“I always try to focus on the next shot ahead,” said Cangiano, who will be taking his talents next year to Denver's Metro State. “And I practice a lot, always trying to improve my game.

“I have been playing for eight years now, and excited about my opportunity to play on the Division II level.”

The Eagles also got wins from Gabriel Nicotra at No. 2 (6-2, 6-3) against Jones' Armand Deniakas; Andres Cepede at No. 3 (6-2, 6-1) against Jones' Tyler Shows; Wade Henderson at No. 5 (6-3, 6-2) against Hinds' Chris Tapia and Kyle Dew (6-1, 6-0) at No. 6. In doubles play, MCC's Jeremy Purdom and Nicotra won 6-1, 6-1 against Hinds' Duffy Loel and Donail Myles at No. 2; and Henderson and Brandyn Landry downed Hinds' Rowe Rhette and Tapia 6-2, 6-0.

MCC currently has seven points, just ahead of Itawamba's six. Hinds is third with three and JCJC has one.

The women’s No. 1 for MCC was equally as successful. Anna Vavrik also handed her opponent a straight set loss, 6-0, 6-0. Her dominant performance also vaulted herself into the championship match held tomorrow.

Vavrik, the ITA All-American, hails from Nadhodkha, Russia. She has been ranked as high as seventh in the nation, but she currently rests at the 19th spot. Vavrik is also heading west, but to a warmer climate at Hawaii Pacific.

Also advancing for MCC are Aline Ferreira at No. 2 (6-1, 6-1) against JCJC's Hannah Thomas; Savannah Zachry at No. 3; Jessica Halterman at No. 4; Kaley Allen at No. 5 and Indi Mire at No. 6. Meridian also won all three doubles matches to grab the first day lead with nine points. Jones is second with six, Gulf Coast has two and ICC has one.