CLINTON, MS – The Mississippi College men's and women's tennis teams both kicked off their Gulf South Conference (GSC) play with impressive victories over Auburn Montgomery (AUM) on March 21, 2025, at the MC Tennis Complex.

The #39-ranked Mississippi College men's team (9-5, 1-0 GSC) defeated AUM (5-5, 1-1 GSC) 6-1, while the #22-ranked Lady Choctaws (11-3, 1-0 GSC) dominated the Auburn Montgomery women's team (6-4, 0-1 GSC) 7-0.

Men's Tennis: MC Cruises to 6-1 Victory

The Choctaws put on a strong performance to open their GSC campaign. After sweeping the doubles matches, they maintained their momentum through singles play.

• In doubles, the duo of Alex Benichou Blanchard and Rafael Sabio defeated AUM's Giuseppe Bonaiuti and Jami Savolainen 6-3 in the #1 spot. Alvaro Saint Martin and Sergio Ramirez Ocana followed suit with a 6-4 win over Dominik Vonbank and Raphael Pertusier in #2 doubles. In the final doubles match, Walker Ellis and Florian Walcher completed the sweep with a 6-4 win over AUM's Mark Nawa and Augustin Wallert.

In singles play, the Choctaws clinched the win with straight-set victories:

• Alex Benichou Blanchard triumphed over Giuseppe Bonaiuti 6-3, 6-5.

• Rafael Sabio defeated Jami Savolainen 6-4, 6-4.

• Sergio Ramirez Ocana and Alvaro Saint Martin both recorded dominant 6-3, 6-4 wins.

• Gustavo Tedesco sealed the win with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Mark Nawa.

The Choctaws have now won four of their last five matches, and this GSC victory gives them a solid start in conference play.

Women's Tennis: Lady Choctaws Sweep AUM 7-0

The Mississippi College women's team put on an excellent performance, winning every match in straight sets.

In doubles, Anna Hudson and Alizee Ripolles started strong with a 6-4 victory over Estefania Garcia and Ane Ibarra in #1 doubles. Ricio Martinez and Ana Julissa De Mata Rodríguez followed up with a 6-4 win over Melissa Yakup Pour and Nahia Izco in #2 doubles. Ann Cabot Stockett and Katharina Weber completed the sweep with a 6-2 win in #3 doubles.

In singles, the Choctaws didn't let up:

• Ricio Martinez defeated Garcia 6-1, 6-3 in #1 singles.

• Ana Julissa De Mata Rodríguez won 6-1, 6-3 over Yakup Pour in #2.

• Katharina Weber bounced back from a first-set loss to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 against Izco in #3.

• Alizee Ripolles won 6-1, 6-3 against Ksenija Vujacic in #4.

• Anna Hudson overcame Ane Ibarra 6-0, 10-1 in a tiebreaker for #5 singles.

• Emma Roberts rounded out the sweep with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Sofia Neri in #6 singles.

With their 7-0 win, the Lady Choctaws extended their winning streak to five matches and made a strong statement in the GSC.

Up Next

Both teams will return to action on Wednesday, March 26, at 1 p.m. CT, as they face Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN. After today's dominant performances, Mississippi College will look to continue their winning ways on the road.