PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Mississippi College men's tennis team's historic season came to an end in the NCAA South Region II Semifinals on Saturday, May 10, as they fell to No. 2-seed University of West Florida, 4-1, at the Ralph "Skeeter Carson" Complex.
In the first-ever appearance for the Choctaws in the NCAA Tournament, the team faced a tough challenge against the nationally ranked Argonauts. Mississippi College (16-11) fought hard but ultimately could not overcome the depth of West Florida (24-2), a team that has remained a powerhouse in the region.
Doubles Action:
Singles Action:
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Benichou Blanchard, ranked No. 5 in the region, faced Cabrera in the No. 1 singles match and fell 7-5, 6-2.
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Florian Walcher took on Sebastian Rondon in the No. 2 singles, where he lost 7-5, 3-6, 0-6.
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Rafael Sabio earned a 7-5, 6-0 victory over Diego Duran in the No. 3 spot.
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Gustavo Tedesco could not overcome the challenge of Sebastian Sotelo in the No. 4 singles, dropping the match 6-1, 6-1.
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The No. 5 and No. 6 singles matches were unfinished due to the team result being determined, with both Saint Martin and Ramirez Ocana battling in their respective contests.
Although the Choctaws' season ended in defeat, their performance throughout the year was nothing short of remarkable. This historic regional appearance marks a significant milestone in the program's growth, led by head coach Michael Ward. The team's efforts in securing their first NCAA berth are a testament to their hard work and determination all season long.
Mississippi College will now look to build upon this experience and continue to raise the bar for future seasons.
