By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
April 16, 2004
Meridian Community College will be hosting the MACJC state/Region 23 women's tennis tournament this weekend at the Northeast Tennis Center. Eleven teams from Mississippi will be competing.
Play begins at 8 a.m. today and is slated to conclude Saturday afternoon.
"We're planning on getting four rounds in on Friday," MCC coach and tournament director Wanda McPhail said. "We should finish around 6-6:30 p.m. on Friday. We'll play the semifinals Saturday morning and the finals Saturday afternoon."
This year's tournament could be up for grabs.
"It's going to be real hard to gauge," McPhail said. "Hinds is real strong. Jones is strong and Itawamba is strong. I think if we play well, we have a chance."
MCC is 13-5 with four of the losses coming outside Mississippi.
"Gulf Coast has some good girls, but they don't have a full squad," McPhail added. "Co-Lin will be competitive."
One of the tournament's top players is Brett Anderson of Hinds in No. 1 singles.
"There are several good girls in that draw," McPhail said. "Gulf Coast's Nieve Cleary and Jillian Foster of Meridian are both good."
Newton County grads Britley Kimbriel and older sister Melissa Kimbriel are both top seeds in their respective divisions. Britley is in No. 4 singles, while Melissa is in No. 5.
Britley teams with Amy Frazier in No. 2 doubles. They are undefeated against Mississippi competition this year.
The top two teams and the winning players in No.1 singles and No. 1 doubles whose team doesn't qualify can go to the national tournament which will be held at College Station, Texas.
"I think it's going to be a great tournament," McPhail said.
Other MCC team members include Michelle Clearman, Belle Naugher, and Amy Cole.