By By Richard Dark/The Meridian Star
April 25, 2001
The Meridian Community College Tennis team competed in the Region 23 tennis tournament at Jones Junior College and came up victorious in several matches.
The tournament involved a field of 12 teams from the state and was the last event for coach Wanda McPhail's team this season.
In men's singles, MCC's top seed Stewart Everett was put out in the second round of the tournament by Co-Lin's Mark Caldwell in three sets, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.
No. 2 seed Albert Smith bowed out in his opener, falling to Jones' Tyler Rosen, 7-5, 7-6, (8-6).
Bard Curto lost in the second round to Hinds CC netter Jason Gill, 6-1, 6-3 in three-seed action.
Fourth seed Brad Dearman beat Holmes CC's Phillip Hickle, 6-1, 6-0 in first round action.
But Dearman lost in the second round to Hinds' top seed, Josh Ilses, 6-0, 6-4.
In the five-spot, Dustin Davidson advanced to the semifinals with a win over Matt Hughes from Pearl River, 6-1, 6-1. However, he came up short to Bart Mayfield from Hinds, 6-4, 6-4.
Kevin McDonald got past Hinds netter Bobby Rush to also advance to the semis, 6-4, 7-5.
McDonald then advanced to the championship game when Jones' Jeff Mach had to retire down 3-0 in the third set, as he suffered from severe muscle cramps.
McDonald was dropped in the finals by Itawamba's Ryan Bird, 7-5, 7-5.
In men's doubles action, MCC's two seed of Everett and Smith were bested by Co-Lin's Smith and White in the second round, 7-5, 7-6, (7-1).
Davidson and McDonald defeated East Central's tandem of Ty Anderson and Dempsey, 6-1, 6-2 to advance to the second round. There, they were eliminated by Jones' duo of Jim Stennet and Scott Hill, 6-0, 6-2.
Dearman and Curto got into the second round of play with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Wingfield and Nealy of Co-Lin. But it was over in the semis, when Indian netters Matt Robinson and Greg Simmons won out, 7-5, 6-2.
Women's results: Like the men, MCC's ladies were able to grab some wins, but ultimately did not place first in any divisions at the Laurel Sportsplex.
The Lady Eagles' top seed, Kelly Trebisky def. Amber McCaulla of Holmes, 6-3, 6-0, but lost in the second round of play to Pearl River's Nicole Shepard, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).
Dana Vance was defeated in the first round, by Co-Lin's Megan Rogillio, 7-5, 6-2.
Jill Hathorn was also eliminated in the first round, by ECCC's Brandy Bounds, 6-4, 6-1.
Meredith Vance beat Allison Ford from Gulf Coast 5-7, 6-4, 6-0. East Central's Jennifer Emmons ended her run, 6-3, 6-2.
Anna Bailey def. Gulf Coast CC's Chrissy Johnson, 6-0, 6-0 in round one. In the next round, Kasey Comans def. Bailey, 6-3, 7-5.
Marie Singleton of Hinds put away Lauren Gavin in round one, 6-1, 6-0.
In doubles action, Trebisky and Hathorn were defeated by GCCC's Olson and Mason, 6-3, 6-2 in Friday's first round.
Meredith and Dana Vance were beaten by ICC's Brantley and Malarity, 6-2, 6-2 in the second round.
Anna Bailey and Jamie Kirkley advanced to the first round over Southwest's Reeves and Garza, 6-1, 6-1, but were defeated by PRCC'S squad, 6-1, 6-0.
Richard Dark is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. You can call him at 693-1551, ext. 3234 or e-mail him at rdark@themeridianstar.com.