CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi College tennis made history in 2025 as both the men's and women's programs achieved milestone seasons that redefined the trajectory of Choctaw Tennis. The women's team captured its first-ever Gulf South Conference championship, while both squads reached the NCAA South Region Tournament, marking the first time in school history that both teams advanced to postseason play in the same year.
"It was an honor to watch our ladies make history," said head coach Michael Ward. "Beating the No. 11 and No. 5 teams in the country to win the conference title, then upsetting No. 10 Embry-Riddle to reach the NCAA regional final was special. It highlights the courage, effort, and selfless fight our ladies have shown all season."
The women's team posted a 21-7 overall record (6-2 GSC), finishing undefeated at home (6-0) and going 8-4 on the road. The Choctaws took down Valdosta State (4-0), Montevallo (4-0), and No. 1 West Alabama (4-2) to clinch the GSC title. In the NCAA Tournament, they knocked off Embry-Riddle (4-3) before falling to top-ranked Barry (4-1) in a hard-fought regional final.
Leading the way was Emma Roberts, who was named First Team All-GSC alongside Rocio Martinez. Roberts pulled off a marquee singles win in the regional final against a top-5 nationally ranked opponent, while Jules De Mata, Katharina Weber, and the team's other seniors—Anna Hudson, Elena Roberts, and Alizée Ripolles—provided leadership throughout the season.
"These ladies are true competitors and exemplary student-athletes," Ward said. "It's an absolute privilege to be a part of their lives."
Meanwhile, the Mississippi College men's team posted a 16-11 record (5-3 GSC), with a strong 8-4 record on the road and a key win over Harding (5-2) early in the spring. Despite a tough start that included multiple 3-4 road losses and doubles struggles, the team gained momentum late in the season, earning its first-ever NCAA regional appearance.
"Our guys battled through a tough season and improved toward the end," Ward said. "It was an incredibly competitive NCAA match against the No. 2 team in the country. After losing doubles, it was fun to watch our guys battle back and shift the momentum before a day-and-a-half rain delay. I guarantee our returners are motivated to make even more history next year."
The men were led by sophomore sensation Alex Benichou Blanchard, who was named GSC Men's Tennis Player of the Year for the second straight season—becoming the first back-to-back winner of the award in conference history. Blanchard reached a career-high national singles ranking of No. 2. He was joined by Rafael Sabio, who earned Second Team All-GSC honors, and team captain Alvaro Saint Martin, who helped lead the squad over the past three seasons.
Coach Ward credits the historic year to the unity and leadership within the program, including support from Assistant Coach Brady McDaniel and volunteers Stan and Colleen Roberts, as well as the university's administration.
"We appreciate the support of our university and Athletic Director Kenny Bizot, who made it a priority to attend both men's and women's NCAA regional matches—even though they were in different locations," Ward said. "These leaders, in addition to a focused group of student-athletes, made history for our university."
Still, Ward sees this as just the beginning.
"My expectation is that this is a small beginning," he said. "In the upcoming season, we will give everything to build more culture and character and to compete harder and longer to earn more historic results. Our university deserves national championship banners hanging in our coliseum, and we will re-focus to earn those banners in the seasons ahead."
With the foundation laid in 2025, the Choctaws have set a new standard for excellence in NCAA Division II tennis—and the future looks brighter than ever.
