Indians earn Top 25 finish in NJCAA National Tournament

Indians earn Top 25 finish in NJCAA National Tournament
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com

PLANO, TEXAS – The Itawamba Community College men's tennis team finished up their season with a Top 25 finish in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Tennis National Tournament at the Collin Tennis Facilities in Plano, Texas.

The Indians finished 23rd in the tournament and just three points out of a spot in the Top 20 after four of the five of the matches that were pitted against nationally-ranked opponents came from major upsets in the tournament.

In No. 1 singles action, Lucas Souza (Ilhabela, Brazil) defeated Tayven Townsend (Paradise Valley) 6-2; 6-0 before falling to overall sixth-seed Warren Kuhn (Vincennes University) 6-3; 6-1 in the championship bracket's Round of 16.

Jordan Trice (Shannon) picked up a 7-6(3); 6-4 victory over Jordan Altieri (Elgin Community College) in the opening round of the No. 6 singles championship bracket before being eliminated by overall fifth-seed Dimitar Komov (Seminole State) 6-0; 6-1 in the Round of 16.

James Jackson (Clarksdale) dropped his opening round match to overall seven-seed Filip Burnac (Scottsdale Community College) 6-0; 6-0 in No. 2 singles play before being eliminated by Gino DiGiacinto-Hillis (Paradise Valley) 6-1; 6-2 in the consolation bracket.

Ambrose Wilson (Clarksdale) fell 6-1; 6-0 to Tyler Bridges (Seminole State) in the No. 3 singles opening round match and was eliminated from tournament play 6-2; 6-2 after overall one-seed Kyle Joseph (ASA College) was upset and sent to the consolation bracket.

In No. 4 singles play, Matthew Peugh (Shannon) was defeated 6-0; 6-1 by Eric Verdi (Georgia Perimeter) in the opening round of play before being eliminated by Brandon Wolf (Harford Community College) in quarterfinals of the consolation bracket.

Caleb Ballard (Tupelo) dropped a 6-0; 6-0 decision to Michael Bailey (ABAC) in the opening round of the No. 5 singles championship bracket and was eliminated in the second round of the consolation bracket 6-0; 6-2 by Evan Keller (Cowley College).

In No. 1 doubles action Souza and Peugh dropped their opening round match 6-1; 6-1 to Caio Gomes and Luis Hernandez (Laredo Community College) and were eliminated in the first round of the consolation bracket 6-4; 6-1 by Tony O'Connell and Luke Paeni (New Mexico Military Institute).

Jackson and Wilson fell to Bridges and Alex Brown (Seminole State) 6-0; 6-1 in the opening round of No. 2 doubles play before being eliminated in the second round of the consolation bracket 6-1; 6-0 by overall fifth-seed Dave Pollack and Mousa Zayad (Scottsdale Community College) who were upset by the Seminole State duo in the championship bracket.

In No. 3 doubles play, Ballard and Jamison Allred (Maben) were defeated 6-4; 6-1 by Neil Berkel and Tyler Kerley (Lewis & Clark) in the opening round of play before being eliminated in the consolation bracket quarterfinals by Peter Oppenheim and Robby Tabanguil (Marion Military Institue).

The Indians earned the second-best finish amongst Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) participating in the event.