Northwest CC men’s tennis starts season nationally-ranked

By Brian Lentz, NWCC Sports Information Director

Despite being 0-2 to open the 2023 season, the Northwest men’s tennis team has already cracked the Junior College Men’s National Rankings from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

Northwest enters the polls at No. 24 overall in the ITA’s Top 25 rankings. It’s the first national ranking for Will Irvin’s club and the first in tennis since April 21, 2016, when the Ranger men were ranked 23rd.

Several more MACCC programs dot this week’s rankings, led by Mississippi Gulf Coast at No. 14. Jones College checks in at No. 15, followed by 17th-ranked Meridian, No. 20 Itawamba, No. 21 Hinds and No. 23 Copiah-Lincoln.

Northwest dropped a tough season-opener to nationally-ranked NAIA program Blue Mountain Christian last Friday, before falling to Coastal Alabama-South last weekend in Auburn, Ala. Despite the 9-0 score, the Rangers played several matches close in singles and doubles against the now-22nd-ranked Sun Chiefs.

Northwest will return to The ROC on Tuesday, February 14 to face No. 17 Meridian in the MACCC opener.