CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi College Tennis continues to shine on the national stage, as the Choctaws brought home multiple Gulf South Conference postseason accolades following an impressive 2025 campaign on the courts
Leading the way for the Choctaws is sophomore sensation Alex Benichou Blanchard, who was named GSC Men's Tennis Player of the Year for the second straight season—cementing his place as one of the premier players in Division II. Blanchard becomes the first back-to-back winner of the award since Sedar Bojadjiev of West Florida accomplished the feat in 2018 and 2019. He is also the first Choctaw in program history to win the award, following a standout year where he posted a 16-4 singles record while playing exclusively at the No. 1 position. Blanchard notched a 5-1 mark against nationally ranked opponents and recorded a 13-6 combined record in doubles play.
His season includes marquee victories such as a straight-sets win over No. 1-ranked Phil Ikner on March 7, a gritty three-set triumph over the No. 18-ranked player from Auburn Montgomery, and a win over No. 6-ranked Miguel Cabrera of West Florida. In doubles, Blanchard and Sabio picked up signature wins over No. 24 Fischer and Deal (Southern Arkansas) and a 6-0 rout of No. 38 Thomas and Sebastian (West Florida).
Blanchard was also named to the First Team All-GSC, while Sabio earned a spot on the Second Team All-GSC. Sabio posted a 16-6 singles record (.727) and a 13-11 doubles mark, contributing heavily to MC's nationally ranked season.
On the women's side, the Choctaws placed two standouts on the All-GSC First Team. Emma Roberts, who has enjoyed a stellar season, earned First Team All-GSC honors and is currently ranked No. 16 nationally in singles and No. 24 in doubles with partner Ana Julissa De Mata. Roberts holds a 17-6 singles record (.739) and a 16-6 doubles mark (.727), highlighted by wins over the No. 5-ranked West Florida tandem of Vue and Ricardo and a marquee singles victory against No. 1 Ashleigh Simes of Lee.
Joining Roberts on the First Team is Rocio Martinez, who currently holds the No. 42 national singles ranking with a 16-6 record (.727) and a 13-9 doubles mark (.591). Martinez's consistent performances throughout the year earned her recognition as one of the GSC's top players.
The 2025 season has been one of the most decorated in program history, with both teams reaching the GSC Championship match and finishing in the national rankings—No. 17 for the men and No. 20 for the women—as the Choctaws solidify themselves as contenders on the national scene.
2025 GSC Tennis Season Awards | Mississippi College Honorees
Men's Awards
Women's Awards
Mississippi College Tennis looks to carry this momentum into the NCAA postseason as both squads aim to continue making program history.
