ICC sweeps MACJC Tennis Championships... again

The Itawamba Community College Indians completed their run to a third-straight Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) Tennis Championship while the Lady Indians won their second-straight state title at Rob Leake City Park on Saturday.

"It's always special when you can win a state title," said Hall of Fame tennis coach Paul Johnson, who was named 2012 MACJC Coach of the Year. "These girls and guys worked really hard from the start of the season and took a lot of pride in keeping these streaks going."

The 12th-ranked Indians earned 24 points with Jones County finishing second with 14 points while the 22nd-ranked Lady Indians also earned 24 points with Jones County finishing second with 17 points.

Lewis Butler defeated Co-Lin's Marko Knezevic 6-1, 6-3 in the Men's No. 1 singles championship, Kent Gardner topped Lee Butler of Jones 6-2, 6-3 to win the No. 3 singles title, James Jackson beat Casper Wansley of Jones 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 5 singles championship, and Stephen Montgomery defeated Jones' Josh Lomas 6-3, 6-0 in the No. 6 singles title match.

The Indians wrapped up the MACJC title before entering doubles play, but left no doubt by sweeping all three double title matches with Butler and Lucas Souza winning the No. 1 doubles, Gardner and Montgomery winning No. 2 doubles and Luke Wilson and Jackson winning the No. 3 doubles title.

Amy Evans won the Women's No. 1 singles title 6-0, 6-0 over Alicia Domoney of Jones, Katherine Downing defeated Jones' Rachel Jefcoat 6-4, 6-0 in the No. 3 singles title match, Anna-Blair Hunt topped Brandy Freeman of Jones 6-4, 6-4 in the No. 4 singles match, Bianca Stephens beat Jones' Ali Rudolph 6-4, 6-4 in the No. 5 singles match and Brennan Harris won the No. 5 singles championship 6-2, 6-3 over Abby Morris of Co-Lin.

Sommer Burnett and Evans battled past Domoney and Stephanie Smith of Jones 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the Women's No. 1 doubles title match, the longest match of the day. Hunt and Harris defeated Kim McNeese and Jess Franklin of Co-Lin 6-2, 7-5 to win the No. 3 doubles championships.

The pair of championships is the third MACJC titles for ICC this season after the women's basketball team won state in March.

The Indians and Lady Indians will advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament next weekend in Meridian.