By Robert Wilson
Jackson Prep has been a dominant tennis program in the MAIS, winning more than 60 state team championships since the early 1970s.
But the Patriots haven’t won the boys and girls team titles in the same year since 2017.
That is, until last week when the Patriots and Lady Patriots finished on top.
Prep had 13.5 points to Jackson Academy’s 13 points to win the Division I boys state title and Prep had 13.5 points to Madison-Ridgeland Academy’s 12 points to win the Division I girls state title.
Prep has now won an amazing 71 boys and girls team state championships since 1971. So the Patriots have won 64.5 percent of the state titles in MAIS history, a remarkable feat. Prep’s girls won 15 straight from 2003 to 2017.
“It was a great day for Jackson Prep athletics,” said Will Crosby, who has been the athletic director at Prep since 2004. “It’s hard enough to win one state championship, but when you can win two in one day, that’s pretty special. (Prep boys and girls tennis coach) Daniel (Yepez) is one of the hardest workers I’ve been around so I was glad he got to experience that Thursday. I’m also really happy our seniors could finish their tennis careers that way.”
“This is truly a total team effort on both sides,” Yepez said. “On the boys side, we had great leadership and consistency from guys like Reynolds Smith, Henson Tyler, the Russ brothers, and our captain Alex Guidry. They set the tone for us all season with their competitiveness and ability to step up in big moments. For the girls, we were led by a very strong and deep lineup. The Lucas sisters, Zella Fulton, Millie Smith, Bea Birdsall, and the Walker doubles team were outstanding all year. Their consistency, chemistry, and ability to perform under pressure really made a difference. What allowed us to win both the boys and girls state titles comes down to the work they put in all season. They earned this through hard work, perseverance, dedication, and determination. As a coach, I’m really proud of this group. I gave them the tools, but they were the ones going out there and giving everything they had on the court. Another big factor was the bond this team built. They genuinely enjoy being around each other and wanted to everything together, even off the court. That chemistry carried over into matches. They learned how to support one another and truly compete as a team every step of the way. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Yepez in his fourth season at Prep’s head coach. He grew up in Venezuela and reached a career high of No. 6 in his country. Yepez played at Hinds Community College and Jackson State. He also was a teaching pro at River Hills Tennis Club for seven years and was a men’s assistant coach at Mississippi College for one year. His assistant coach is Jefferson Nino, who is an All-American at Belhaven and has coached at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
“Winning was really fun, especially with some many people that I’ve known and played with for a long time,” Prep boys captain Alex Guidry said. “Being the first time in nine years just amplifies the experience and I hope that the team will win more in the future.”
“Having won both the boys and girls state championships my senior year is absolutely amazing,” Prep girls captain Bea Birdsall said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the team. We got so close throughout our practices. Scrimmages, and road trips, constantly supporting one another and pushing for perfection. That we won both the boys and girls state championships for the first time in nine years is a cherry on top of an extra special season. We put in the work, chased victory, and captured it thanks to our hardworking and motivational coaches.”
Prep had six runner-up finishes out of the nine championship matches – Reynolds Smith in No. 1 boys singles, Henson Tyler in No. 2 boys singles, Charlotte Lucas in No. 1 girls singles, Zella Fulton in No. 2 girls singles, Henry and Stewart Russ in No. 1 boys doubles, and Carolina and Ann Elise Walker in No. 2 girls doubles.
