NMMI Sports Press
The New Mexico Military Institute men's tennis team earned a bid to play in the National Junior College Athletic Association's 2019 Division I National Championships, held in Tucson, AZ on May 13-17.
In six flights of singles play and three flights of doubles, the Broncos lost only one of their first-round match-ups. This consistency netted NMMI a No. 8 finished and final national ranking, tying with Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with 20 team points.
"They came in with a winning attitude as a team," said head NMMI tennis coach Mary Jo Abney. "Their goal was to be top five in the nation, but to finish eighth was an absolute victory. I'm proud of everyone on the team – from number one singles to number three doubles, they did a tremendous job. Their demeanor at every game and tournament has always been something that embodies the spirit of NMMI."
Coach Abney will be moving on to start a tennis academy in San Diego next year. Chad Mann will be taking over the reins of Bronco men's and women's tennis. Coach Mann got the opportunity to travel with the team to Tucson for nationals.
"I feel that Chad is a very strong fit for not only being an Army veteran, but for how he coaches and encourages. The positivity that he brings to the table, I think this is exactly what these two teams need and I think he will do tremendous justice for them. He is well-experienced as a tennis pro and as a college coach."
Complete NMMI Results
Men's Singles
Christopher Bulus (NMMI) def. Sacha Colomban (Iowa Central) 7-5, 6-0
Toru Horle (ASA Miami) def. Christopher Bulus (NMMI) 6-2, 6-4
Emanuel Mallya (NMMI) def. Ethan Aycock (Wallace State) 6-2, 7-5
Luke Simkiss (Tyler) def. Emanuel Mallya (NMMI) 6-0, 6-0
Martins Abamu def. Eric Holmes (Hinds) 6-1, 6-1
Adriel Azucey (Eastern Florida State) def. Martins Abamu (NMMI) 6-3, 6-2
Luis Zamorano (NMMI) def. Bryce Livingston (Hinds) 6-0, 6-0
Karl Mosterd (Tyler) def. Luis Zamorano (NMMI) 6-2, 6-2
Matt Carroll (ASA Miami) def. Farid Yunes (NMMI) 6-2, 6-3
Ned Merrion (NMMI) def. James McWilliams (Jones College) 6-0, 6-1
Tomas Santantonio (ASA Miami) def. Ned Merrion (NMMI) 6-0, 6-0
Men's Doubles
Bulus/Mallya (NMMI) def. Dwyer/Way (Iowa Central) 6-4, 3-6, 4-2Ret (inj)
Fabregas/Horie (ASA Miami) def. Bulus/Mallya (NMMI) 6-3, 6-2
Colomban/Zammit (Iowa Central) def. Abamu/Zamorano 7-5, 6-1
Merrion/Yunes (NMMI) def. Freeman/Roach (Kaskaskia) 6-1, 6-2
Edwards/Oshiro (Cowley) def. Merrion/Yunes (NMMI) 6-2, 6-2