Romar Hernandez Wins First ITA Men’s Singles Championship for MMI

Meridian, MS—Romar Hernandez, MMI's No. 1 singles player, downed three Meridian Community College players and one of his own teammates (Jake McDonough) en route to the 2013 USTA/ITA JUCO Southern Regional Men's Singles Championship on Saturday afternoon at the Northeast Tennis Center. Hernandez becomes the first MMI male player to win the coveted championship. Six teams competed in the 27-player draw: East Central CC, Hinds CC, Holmes CC, Marion Military Institute, Meridian CC, and Mississippi Gulf Coast CC.

After receiving a bye in the first round, Hernandez, a big leftie and the tournament's No. 1 seed, used his wicked slice serve to carve up his first two opponents from Meridian, 6-0, 6-0 and 6-1, 6-3. In the semifinal matchup, Hernandez was pitted against fellow teammate Jake McDonough. McDonough put up quite a fight before falling in three sets.

In the final round, Hernandez breezed by Meridian's Kevin Millet in the first set, 6-1, and held on to win the second, 6-3.

Also competing in singles competition for MMI was freshman Javier DeClaire. DeClaire won his first two matches, 6-0, 6-0 and 6-1, 6-3, before falling to the No. 4-seeded player, Meridian's Kevin Millet, 6-4, 6-2.

Hernandez will now head to Fort Myers, FL, to compete in the 2013 USTA/ITA National Small College Championships, which will be held from Oct. 10-13 at the Three Oaks Tennis Center.