NW Mississippi Community College Tennis Looks to Return to Nationals in 2026
The Northwest Mississippi Community College men’s and women’s tennis teams are set to compete in the 2026 season, aiming to return to the NJCAA Division II Tennis Championships after strong showings last year.
The women’s team, which finished 13th out of 28 teams at nationals, returns key players including Laura Cámara Blanco, Meg Daves, Claudia Lopez Chaparro, and Lucy Grace Oliver. Last season, the team finished with a 10-6 overall record and a 6-3 conference record, beating seven nationally ranked opponents. Their biggest win was a 5-4 victory over #16 Itawamba. Each player contributed to singles or doubles wins during the tournament, where they posted a 5-4 record in doubles and a 5-7 record in singles.
The men’s team also aims to build on its success, returning players Holden Cooke, Brady Holliman, Miguel Lazaga Robayna, and Luca Morris. They finished last season with an 11-6 overall record and a 7-3 conference record, with a notable 5-4 win over #18 Copiah-Lincoln. At nationals, they finished 16th out of 27 teams, with five singles players and all doubles teams earning wins. Sophomore Joshua Tedford’s 8-0 victory over Mesa Community College’s Enrique Urquidi was a highlight.
Both teams finished the 2025 season ranked nationally—women at No. 15 and men at No. 17—thanks in part to their performances at nationals. Coach Ryan Mounce expressed optimism, noting the potential of the returning sophomores and the contributions of incoming freshmen. The women’s roster includes five freshmen, all with successful high school backgrounds, while the men’s team will feature three freshmen, including several state champions.
Mounce, entering his first season as head coach, praised the campus facilities and the region’s tennis talent. He previously coached at Meridian Community College and Lafayette High School, where his teams won multiple state championships. During the fall, sophomore Meg Daves won the B draw at the ITA JUCO Southern Regional Championships, marking the first time a Ranger claimed a main draw victory since the program’s reinstatement in 2022.
The season started with exhibition matches in February, including a 7-0 win for the women over Mississippi University for Women and a 6-3 victory for the men against Emory University’s Oxford College. Upcoming matches include a series of home games in the MACCC, beginning with a contest against Jones College on Feb. 20. The team will face a tough schedule, including matches against nationally ranked opponents and regional rivals, with postseason ambitions high.
For updates, fans are encouraged to follow NWCC tennis on social media or visit nwccrangers.com.
Source: Original Article
