MGCCC’S Grant Bell is one of six MGCCC sophomores that led the Bulldogs to MACJC & Region 23 titles in 2013.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College tennis head coach Gary Bourgeois was hoping his men’s squad could pull off a top 10 finish at last week’s NJCAA Tournament in Plano, TX. After the first day of competition, the Bulldogs were tied for second.
“The second day we put ourselves in position to win four matches against top seeds,” said Bourgeois, who was named the Region 23 and MACJC Coach of the year in 2013. “We couldn’t close out matches and sets, and lady luck wasn’t with us, but we really battled the whole tournament.”
The team’s 16th overall finish at Nationals culminated a season full of milestones, including MACJC and Region 23 titles, and an undefeated regular season.
Three Bulldog players also signed scholarships at the next level, with Australian twin brothers Alex and Lachlan Puyol signing with Belhaven and Nick Georgian signing with William Carey. The Puyol brothers and Georgian joined fellow sophomores Grant Bell and Travis Burdick and freshman Sean Robinson to make up the 2013 team.
“It was a season to remember,” Bourgeois added. “These sophomores will truly be missed.”
MGCCC’S Sean Robinson (left) and Alex Puyol went undefeated in doubles play during the 2013 regular season.