The Tribune

BAHAMIANS produced several impressive performances at the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championships, with Simone Pratt as the latest to help lead her team to school history.

Pratt and the ASA Miami Silver Storm won its first national title as they finished ahead of the 24-team field. When all was said and done, the Silver Storm, which entered the tournament as the No. 1 ranked team, collected 51 points during the five-day tournament due in large part to a dominating overall performance. They defeated Tyler Junior College in the final. ASA Miami was ranked No.1 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association at the start of the season and with this win has solidified that position.

Pratt played singles No.5 and won her opening match convincingly over Bruna Chaves 6-1, 6-0. In doubles play, Pratt along with Christine Roller defeated Compton and Walker 6-3, 6-2. 

In subsequent doubles play Pratt and Roller defeated Hoelting and Mrewa 6-4.

Despite this being ASA Miami’s first-ever national championship, this is the second straight national championship for Pratt who was a part of ASA New York’s 2015 championship team.

The title for the women’s team comes on the heels of the Bahamian player Rasheed Carey, who also led ASA Miami to the NJCAA national title. Carey played as the No.5 for his college but lost 4-6 3-6 and in doubles play, he continued to make his contribution along with teammate Zarazua but lost 3-6, 3-6. ASA Miami narrowly edged out the 45-point effort from runner-up Seminole State (Oklahoma) with a 47- point victory.

Francis  played for Prairie State College in NJCAA in the singles consolation match as flight 3. He lost the match 8-5 but put up a very good fight playing the No. 6 seed in the tournament.

Shannon Francis also participated in the tournament, playing No.1 flight in doubles. 

Francis and his partner Diaz won the first round but lost to Tyler College 7-5, 6-7. The tie break was 5-7.  Prairie State, the 2016 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Champions, produced one of the strongest tennis programmes in the region.

In international play Jacobi Bain continues his play on the European Tennis Circuit. This time in  the U-14 Dr Oetker Junior Trophy Tournament in Bucharest, Romania.

On Monday Jacobi played very well and won his singles match against Romanian Stefan Andrei 6-4, 6-1 and in his doubles match he teamed up with Ion Chrita from Romania to beat Butnaru and Saki (both from Romania) 6-0, 6-2. Jacobi plays his 2nd round matches on Tuesday. He is next set to play the 16th seed Alan Borjaski of Poland. With his skill set, it is expected that Jacobi will continue to do well as he advances in the tournament.

“It is great to see our local talent spreading their wings and competing on an international level in the United States and in Europe,” said Perry Newton, BLTA public relations officer. “This year we have seen many Bahamian college tennis athletes performing well and helping their teams to obtain great success. Our juniors have also made their mark internationally. We will continue to develop the sport of tennis as more of our athletes shine and blaze the way forward.”