Jones College Women’s Tennis Eyes Another Championship in 2026
ELLISVILLE — Jones College’s women’s tennis team is preparing for another strong season, according to head coach Brooks Buffington. The Bobcats, who have dominated the MACCC and Region 23, are looking to extend their winning streak in 2026.
Buffington, in his tenth year leading the team, highlighted the team’s impressive record of 160-14 during his tenure. Jones has won five consecutive conference championships and has not lost a match since Feb. 14, 2019. The team returns three players from last year’s undefeated squad, including Maria Martinez, Theresa Emelio and Josie Tullos, bringing valuable experience to the court.
Martinez and Emelio are from Argentina and Australia, respectively, while Tullos is from Newton County. Buffington praised their leadership and competitive spirit, noting that they have grown significantly over the past year. “They learned a lot last year and now are ready to take on bigger roles,” he said. Tullos, a fierce competitor, is expected to continue her strong doubles performances, he added.
The team also added five freshmen, including Heidi Clayton, Camila Piquín, Katlin Porcello, Caroline Kilpatrick and Emily Rogers. Buffington said the newcomers have already made an impact. Clayton, from New Albany, is considered the top Mississippi player in the league, and Piquín hails from Argentina. Porcello and Kilpatrick have shown resilience, even playing through injuries, while Rogers has demonstrated strong work ethic and improvement since joining in the fall.
Despite a challenging conference schedule, Buffington remains optimistic. He noted that many teams faced visa issues this season, complicating predictions. Still, he believes if the team executes well, they could repeat as champions. Buffington credited the players for the program’s success, calling them a tight-knit group that supports each other on and off the court.
This season marks a significant change, as the MACCC and Region 23 will compete in NJCAA Division II instead of Division I. Buffington sees this as an opportunity for Jones to contend for a national championship, especially since the team finished seventh in the NJCAA Division I tournament in recent years.
The Bobcats will open their season with a scrimmage at William Carey University on Jan. 28 and host Bevill State on Jan. 29. The Region 23 Tournament is scheduled for April 9-11 at the site of the MACCC champion, with the NJCAA Division II Tournament set for May 2-6 in Sumter, South Carolina.
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