MCC Tennis Closes Out Regular Season

From School Reports 

The Meridian Community College tennis teams recognized sophomores on Saturday before match time against Jones County Junior College. 

Meridian was set for an 11:00 a.m. start with sophomore recognition to begin at 10:30 a.m. Although the match was delayed due to rain showers in the area, sophomore recognition ceremonies began at 10:30 as scheduled. Sophomores who were honored were Brittany Allen, daughter of Patrick and Stacy Allen; Jami Daugherty, daughter of Chip and Renee Foreman and Dan Daugherty;  Paige Gibson, daughter of Trevor Gibson and Carla Gibson; Alden Hartley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Hartley; Sam Butler son of Mr. and Mrs. George Butler; Sean Grice, son of Teresa Grice and Richard Grice; and Walt Harrington, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hank Harrington. 

Matches which were scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. finally began at 12:45 p.m. After doubles play, both Meridian teams led 2-1.  In women’s action, MCC took the number two court with Jordyn Hull/Alden Hartley defeating Claire Rounsaville/Breanna Waller 8-5; the three doubles team of Jami Daugherty/Taylor Miller defeated April Rudolph/Mattie Mills 8-5. Meridian’s Shelby Zachry/Paige Gibson fell to Raquel Rodriguez/Madison Currie at one doubles 8-2.  

Meridian’s men took wins at one doubles with Jason Pimenta/Breno Goncalves defeating Taqel Lewis/Diego Leal 8-1. The three doubles team of Noah James/John Taylor Champion defeated Luke Armstrong/Josh Hester 8-5. Meridian’s two team of Sam Butler/Walt Harrington lost to Chase Pennington/Taylor Tamberg 8-6.  

In singles action both teams battled.  

Meridian won three courts at both the men’s and women’s singles to take the 5-4 wins over JCJC. For the women, MCC picked up wins at court four with Hayden Hill defeating April Rudolph 6-3, 6-2, at court five with Jordyn Hull defeating Mattie Mills 6-0, 6-3 and at court six with Taylor Miller defeating Breanna Waller 6-0, 6-2. Meridian’s number one, Paige Gibson, who played one of the best matches of her career, lost to Raquel Rodriguez 6-4, 7-5. Shelby Zachrybattled for a win at two but fell short in a third set tiebreak with the win going to Madison Currie of JCJC by scores of 6-4, 5-7, 10-2.  

Meridian’s three, Kyra Holway, lost in straight sets 6-3, 6-1. In men’s singles, MCC took wins at court one with Pimentadefeating Lewis 6-0, 6-3, at court three with Noah James taking a third set tiebreak to defeat Chase Pennington 5-7, 6-1, 10-5, and at court five with Will Irvin picking up the win in straight sets over Luke Armstrong 7-5, 6-0. 

Meridian’s two, BrenoGoncalves lost a tough match in the third set to JCJC’s Diego Leal 4-6, 6-3, 10-2. The other two losses for Meridian came at four singles with Sam Butler falling to Taylor Tambert 6-2, 4-6, 10-3 and Walt Harrington losing to Josh Hester 4-6, 6-3, 11-9.  

Meridian’s men end the regular season 23-2 with losses to Tyler Junior College and Collin County Community College.  Meridian’s women end the regular season 20-2 with losses coming to Jones earlier in the season and Eastern Florida.  

Both teams defeated Itawamba on Firday before hosting Jones today. Meridian will travel to Perkinston for the MACJC/Region XXIII tournament which will be held at the MGCCC campus April 20-23.  

A big thanks today to the Phil Hardin Honors College for coming out and supporting our team.