Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23 Quick information Page
MCC Quick Facts/Directory
Location Mesa, AZ.
Area Population 4.7 million est.
Founded 1963
Enrollment 16,000
Nickname ...................................... Thunderbirds
Colors .............................................. Red & White
Conference ... Arizona Community College A.C.
President Dr. Tammy Robinson
Director of Athletics John Mulhern
Athletic Department Phone 480-461-7542
Athletic Department Staff
All phone numbers area code 480
Men’s Soccer .................. Brian Ronan 461-7494
Women’s Soccer ........ Drew Guarneri 461-7232
Volleyball Jordan Herrington 461-7521
Cross Country Daniel Pescador 480-695-4769
Men’s Basketball Lester Neal 461-7540
Women’s BasketballKori Stephenson 461-7544
Track Steve Jacobs 461-7563
Baseball Tony Cirelli 461-7562
Softball ................... Grady Moorhead 461-7322
Men’s Tennis .............. Feroz Rast 602-332-8653
Women’s Tennis ....... Feroz Rast 602-332-8653
Men's Golf John Guerrero 461-7070
Women's Golf John Guerrero 461-7070
Beach Volleyball Jordan Herrington 461-7521
Head Athletic Trainers Cecile Pirronello, Rebecca Roggin 461-7557
men
2023 tennis schedules
at Firestorm Inv. Glendale, AZ
Sat 24 at Arizona Christian Glendale, AZ
October
Fri-Sat 14-15 at AZ Christian Inv. Glendale, AZ
November
Fri-Sun 11-13 T-Bird Inv. Mesa, AZ
January
Sat 28 at Northern Arizona Flagstaff, AZ
February
Sat 4 Western New Mexico Mesa, AZ
Sat 11 Ottawa (AZ) Mesa, AZ
Sat 25 Arizona State U Club Mesa, AZ
Tue 28 Parsdise Valley* Mesa, AZ
March
Thu 2 Glendale* Mesa, AZ
Fri 3 William Jessup Mesa, AZ
Sat 4 Arizona State U Club Mesa, AZ
Thu 9 at Paradise Valley* Paradise Valley, AZ
Mon 13 Pratt CC Mesa, AZ’
Tue 14 Pratt CC Mesa, AZ
Tue 21 at Glendale* Glendale, AZ
Wed 22 Pacific Lutheran Mesa, AZ
Tue 28 Paradise Valley* Mesa, AZ
Thu 30 Glendale* Mesa, AZ
April
Sat 8 Grand Canyon U. Club Mesa, AZ
Tue-Wed 11-12 Region I Tourn. Glendale, AZ
May
Mon-Fri 15-19 NJCAA Div. I National Ch. McKinley, Texas
Women
Day Date Opponent Site
September
Fri-Sat 16-17 at Firestorm Inv. Glendale, AZ
Sat 24 at Arizona Christian Glendale, AZ
October
Fri-Sat 14-15 at AZ Christian Inv. Glendale, AZ
November
Mon. 7 Eastern Arizona Mesa, AZ
Fri-Sun 11-13 T-Bird Inv. Mesa, AZ
Tue 22 at Glendale Glendale, AZ
January
Fri 31 Pacific Lutheran Mesa, AZ
February
Sat 4 Western New Mexico Mesa, AZ
Sat 25 Arizona State U Club Mesa, AZ
Thu 23 at Eastern Arizona* Thatcher, AZ
March
Thu 2 Glendale* Mesa, AZ
Fri 3 William Jessup Mesa, AZ
Sat 4 Arizona State U Club Mesa, AZ
Tue 7 Eastern Arizona* Mesa, AZ
Thu 9 at Paradise Valley* Paradise Valley, AZ
Sat 11 Arizona Christian Mesa, AZ
Mon 13 Pratt CC Mesa, AZ’
Tue 14 Pratt CC Mesa, AZ
Sat 18 Colorado State Mesa, AZ
Tue 21 at Glendale* Glendale, AZ
Thu 23 at Eastern Arizona* Thatcher, AZ
Sat 25 Highline Mesa, AZ
Tue 28 Paradise Valley* Mesa, AZ
Thu 30 Glendale* Mesa, AZ
April
Sat 8 Grand Canyon U. Club Mesa, AZ
Tue-Wed 11-12 Region I Tourn. Glendale, AZ
May
Sat-Wed 6-10 NJCAA Div. I National Ch. Tyler, Texas
Head Coach
Head Coach Feroz Rast is in his 11th year coaching college tennis. He brings along three ACCAC Coach of the Year titles one in 2016 another in 2019 and again in 2021.
Prior to coaching at Mesa, coach Rast was the coach at Paradise Valley Community College. As the head coach at Paradise Valley, coach Rast helped the womens team qualify for its first ever National Tournament in school history in 2017. His tennis teams twice finished with the highest team GPA for all sports at PVCC, 2014-2015 and 2016-2017. He has coached numerous Academic All-Americans and maintained a high graduation rate for his athletes.
Coach Rast was also the Director of Tennis for the City of Phoenix at Granada Park from 2011-2014. During his playing days Rast was an Academic All-American and a National Quarterfinalist at the NJCAA Tournament.
Coach Rast is a graduate of Northern Arizona University, where he earned both his Master’s and his Bachelor’s Degrees.
Feroz Rast
Assistant Coach
Baylee Decker is a native of Pueblo, Colorado who moved to Arizona in July of 2017 attending Paradise Valley Community College. She played tennis for two years there as number one doubles, and number three singles, earning second place in singles at the regional tournament. She was a team leader and captain and helped her team compete in every match. Baylee was named a scholar athlete in 2018 after being recognized for her dedication in the classroom, all while taking care of business on the courts every day. She graduated in December of 2019 with her Associates degree, and months later was accepted into the physical therapy assisting program where she is now attending at Carrington College.
She played in numerous tournaments in Colorado resulting in great success. She has also coached young kids over the summer in Phoenix and Colorado. She has been helping coach Feroz Rast in assisting both the men and women’s tennis team at Mesa since 2019.
Baylee Decker
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23
mesa tennis rosters
Men
Women
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23
meet the t-Birds - men
Sophomore
St. Helen’s, Ore.
Basha (AZ) H.S.
AT MESA (2021-22) - Earned first team all-Region I honors in singles and second team in doubles. Reached the No. 6 singles consolation final at the NJCAA national championships.
AT BASHA H.S. - Played for coach Warren Mee. Chandler Union School District Player of the Year. All-state Player of the Year runner-up. Team MVP two years in a row.
PERSONAL - Lukas Baruffi’s birthday is Oct. 12, and he was born in Portland, Ore. The son of Chris and Casie Baruffi is an Exercise Science major at MCC. He has one brother, Tyler Stewart, and three sisters: Morgan Baruffi, Ashley Stewart and Sydney Rose. His father played tennis at the University of Hawaii Brother Tyler played football at Pacific State and sister Morgan played tennis at MCC.. Lukas works part-time at the Fry’s Marketplace.
Lukas Baruffi
Sophomore
Auckland, N.Z. Hamilton Boys H.S. Harry Browning
AT MESA (2021-22) - Played No. 1 and No. 2 in singles and had a 4-0 conference record at No.1 doubles teaming with Beto Carlon.
AT HAMILTON BOYS H.S. - Second at nationals in his senior year and third the previous season. Played for coach Oliver Statham. Also competed in hockey, soccer, cross country, kayaking and sailing.
PERSONAL - Harry Browning’s birthday is Sept. 18 and he was born in Sydney, Australia. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs, Shane and Stephanie Browning. His father played tennis at Midwestern State. Has a brother Matthew, 18 and a sister Scarlett, 9. He is a Bio-Chemistry major. Works as a tennis coach.
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23 meet the t-Birds - men
Sophomore Phoenix, AZ
Desert Vista H.S.
AT MESA (2021-22) - Won the No. 4 singles consolation title at the NJCAA national championship with a 9-8(4) win over Will McCullough, of Meridian. Previously, he earned second team all-Region honors in singles and first team in doubles.
AT DESERT VISTA H.S. - Played for coach Adrian Boyarsky.
PERSONAL - Andrew Hoffman’s birthday is Oct, 9 and he was born in Mesa, AZ. He is the son of Veronica Hoffman and has two brothers, Joseph, 20 and Isaiah, 17.He is a Psychology major at MCC and works at Wendy’s in his spare time.
Andrew Hoffman
Sophomore Kitwe, Zambia Ndeke Secondary H.S. Duncan Mulenga
AT MESA (2021-22) - Won the consolation No. 5 singles flight at the NJCAA Division I national championships with a victory over Jackson Peoples, of Jones Co., 9-7. Was a first team all-Region I player in both singles and doubles.
AT MESA (2020-21) - Reached the quarter-final round of the NJCAA national championships at No. 5 singles. Won his first match, 6-0, 6-1, over Alex Newman, of Illinois Valley and then captured his second round match, 6-0, 6-0, over Emmanuel Warner of New Mexico Military Institute. Finally fell in the quarter-finals to top seeded Sergio Gomez Bolz, of Eastern Florida State, 6-3, 6-0. In the ACCAC he was the No. 5 singles champion and posted a 5-1 match record for the year.
AT NDEKE SECONDARY - The top seed in the Copperbelt Conference for three years. Played for coach Ray Masika. An all-around athlete, he also played soccer, rugby and basketball, ran track and field and chase. A member of the Math, Physics and Red Cross Clubs.
PERSONAL - Duncan Mulenga’s birthday is April 20 and he was born in Mpika Kasama, Zambia. He is the son of Kenneth Simuchima and Idah Mavuka. The Marketing major has two brothers, Kenny Joe, 26, and Junior, 16 and a sister Dorcas, 18. His grandfather, Max Sichula, played on the Zambian national tennis team. It was a great adventure meeting his new teammates. He loves sports and reading and has played tennis since he was seven. Works as a Public Safety aide at MCC. Has taught tennis in his spare time and worked at a car repair center.
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23 meet the t-Birds - men
Sophomore Kitwe, Zambia
Mukuba
H.S. Frichard Mulenga
AT MESA (2021-22) - Played soccer at MCC for the team that reached the NJCAA Division II national championship tournament and posted a 13-5-1 record. Scored a goal against Justice College.
AT MUKUBA H.S. - Trained in South Africa.
PERSONAL - Frichard Mulenga’s birthday is May 18 and he was born in Kitwe, Zambia. The son of Frederick Mulenga and Monica Kabwe is an Exercise Science major at MCC. Has a brother Frederick. Coached tennis in Zambia. Also did macro vehicle sales. Previously attended Copperstone University.
Freshman
Phoenix, AZ
East Ridge H.S.
AT EAST RIDGE H.S. - Team MVP in his final two years playing for coach Nolan Reed.
PERSONAL - Asad Okoye was born in Phoenix, AZ and his birthday is Nov, 12. The Business Management major is the son of Outume and Aniki Okoye. His grandfather, Floyd Robinson, was a Major League baseball player. Works as a volleyball referee and in prop design.
Asad Okoye
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23 meet the t-Birds - men
McClintock H.S. Hung Pham
Sophomore Mesa, AZ
AR MESA (2021-22) - Did not play.
AT MESA (2020-21) - First team all-Region I at No. 6 singles.
AT McCLINTOCK H.S. - Played for coach Karen Crane.
PERSONAL - Hung Pham was born in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam, on Oct. 30. He is the son of Anthony Vo and Phuong Pham and has a sister Long, 20 and a brother Dũng, 29.
Freshman Franklin, Tenn.
Basha (AZ) H.S. Cade Yorston
AT BASHA H.S. - Played for coach Warren Mee. He was an Honor Roll student and was a member of Deca.
PERSONAL - Cade Yorston’s birthday is Jue 26 and he was born in Huntsville, Ala. He is the son of Brian and Michelle Yorston. He has a brother Cole, 21 and a sister Avery, 17. He is an Economics major.
Freshman
Gilbert, AZ
Basha H.S.
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23 meet the t-Birds - Women
Marti Doud
AT BASHA H.S. - Played for coach Charles Johnson.
PERSONAL - Marti Doud’s birthday is June 30 and she was born in Whittier, Calif. She is an Exercise Science major at MCC.
Sophomore
Phoenix, AZ
Betty
Fairfax H.S. Lays Gomez
AT MESA (2021-22) - Posted a 2-2 conference singles record playing once each at all spots between No. 1 and No. 5 except No. 2. Went 1-0 at No. 2 doubles teaming with Courtney Flynn.
AT BETTY FAIRFAX H.S. - Played for coach Omar Valdez. Also played soccer.
PERSONAL - Laysha Gomez’s birthday is May 28 and she was born in Phoenix, AZ. She is the daughter of Lorena Gomez and has three sisters: Daniella Gomez, 18; Stephanie Gomez, 16 and Yuliera Mendoza, 21. Previously attended Paradise Valley.
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23 meet the t-Birds - Women
Sophomore
Queen Creek, AZ
Queen Creek H.S.
AT MESA (2021-22) - Won her first match at the NJCAA Division I National Championships at No. 4 singles, but then fell in the round of 16. Also teamed with Kylie Williams to win in the first round of No. 3 doubles, but lost in the round of 16. Earned first team all-Region I honors in both singles and doubles.
AT QUEEN CREEK H.S. - Team MVP as a freshman, sophomore and senior. An Honor Roll student and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Played for coach Tamma Murphy. Also participated in Choir.
PERSONAL - Alethea LaCroix’s birthday is Feb. 5 and she was born in Queen Creek, AZ. She is the daughter of Gary and Shevonne LaCroix and is a Secondary Education major at MCC. Has a brother Wesley, 11, and two sisters, Emilee, 26 and Elliana, 16. Has volunteered with Feed My Starving Children and with a sewing project for the homeless through Just Serve. Also a respite care worker. Enjoys singing and painting and her church youth group.
Freshman
Mesa, AZ
Mountain View H.S.
AT MOUNTAIN VIEW - Played for coach Joel Perry and also played golf. PERSONAL - Kirsten Nielson’s birthday is Nov. 29 and she was born in Henderson, Nev. She is in the Dental Hygiene program at MCC and is the daughter of Mark and Jodi Nielson. She has two brothers, Trent and Mark, and a sister Suzy Chamberlain. Works as a nanny.
Alethea LaCroix
Kirsten Nielson
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23
meet the t-Birds - Women
Freshman
Gilbert, AZ
Basha H.S.
AT BASHA H.S. - Won four varsity letters playing for coaches Charles Johnson and Chris Baruffi. A member of Honors Cords Early Childhood Education.
PERSONAL - Avounay Rossi’s birthday is March 6. The Psychology major is the daughter of Kenny Rossi. She has a sister Alahzay Rossi, 22, and a brother Julian Palomino, 27. Her sister played tennis at MCC. Volunteers at Lead for Change and HELP. Works at Fry’s Supermarket.
Avounay Rossi
Freshman
Chandler, AZ
Corona del Sol H.S. Taylor Wasson
AT CORONA DEL SOL H.S. - MVP of the tennis team as a senior playing for coach Carol Sandvig. Won the Scholar-Athlete/Activity Award for both tennis and basketball. A National Honor Society and Honor Roll member. Was offered academic scholarships at both Arizona State and Northern Arizona.
PERSONAL - Taylor Wasson’s birthday is June 23 and she was born in Mesa, AZ. She is a Biology major at MCC and the daughter of Devin and Gina Wasson. She has a sister Madison, 16, and comes from a very athletic family: Devin Wasson (father) Tennis, MCC. Gina Wasson (mother) Basketball, Cochise College. Melly Wasson (grandmother) Tennis, MCC. Whitney Wasson (aunt) Tennis, MCC. Lynley Bailey (aunt) Tennis, University of Houston. Dena Pisano (aunt) Basketball, South Mountain Community College. Did lots of volunteer work as part of the National Honor Society,
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23 meet the t-Birds - Women
Sophomore Gilbert, AZ Casteel H.S. Kylie Williams
AT MESA (2021-22) - Won the consolation championship at No. 6 singles at the NJCAA nationals with an 8-0 win over fellow ACCAC player Olivia Haynie, of Eastern Arizona. Also earned first team all-Region I honors in both singles and doubles.
AT CASTEEL H.S. - Honorable mention all-Region her final two seasons. Alldistrict first team twice in singles and doubles. Team MVP for coach Angelo Pugnetti. Also played basketball. A member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Coaches junior high school tennis.
PERSONAL - Kylie Williams’s birthday is Sept. 16 and she was born in Mesa, AZ. The daughter of Heather and Russ Williams is a Nursing major. She has two sisters: Allie, 14, and Andie, 8, as well as two brothers: Cole, 16, and Grady, 12.
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23
nJcaa all-academic (minimum 3.60 gPa)
Full Team nJCaa all-aCademiC Honors (requires Combined 3.00 GPa)
Men’s Tennis National Rankings Since 2000
Men’s Tennis Individual National Champions
1969 Paul Tobin (singes)
1972 Stellan Bjork & Jan Erik Palm (doubles)
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23 men’s tennis history
year By year record
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23 all-americans
maJor honors
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23
Regional Coach of the Year
Men’s Coaching Records
Women’s
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23 Women’s tennis history
year By year record
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23 all-americans
2016 Maria Garduno Emily Chang
Khanh Huyhn
2007 Lyney Wasson
2004 Sarah Reimer Lindsey Hardy
2003 Lindsey Hardy Sarah Reimer
2002 Lancy Carr
Staci Plikay
2000 Nicole Brown
1997 Brown & Graham
maJor honors
Mesa Community College Tennis 2022-23
Women’s tennis 2018-19 Region I champions
96% of our students say they would recommend MCC to friends or family.
3 All-Arizona Academic Scholars 2021.
Net Impact Gold Chapter for Civic Engagement, 608 students completed 9,994 hours of service learning 2021.
$3.5 million in scholarships awarded to 4,205 students in 2020-21.
MCC is an Hispanic serving institution with 32% of students Hispanic.
41% New to college
74% Take classes part-time
59% Take classes online
48% First in their family to go to college
INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS
The New Media Lab Experience, enhanced with software contributed by Adobe Systems Inc., was created for students to incorporate 21st century multimedia technologies and film making tools for research, academic assignments and a range of communications.
UNIQUE LEARNING LABS
In addition to our traditional classroom lab spaces, we offer unique learning spaces at MCC including the Rose Garden, Planetarium, Art Gallery, ArbNet Arboretum, Performing Arts Center (PAC), Mesa Theatre and the Cienega desert wetland at Red Mountain Campus.
MCC’S CONVENIENT LOCATIONS
Southern and Dobson Campus
Red Mountain Campus
Downtown Center
MCC Online
CAMPUS LIFE
16 Average class size
40+ Student clubs and organizations
$85 Per credit hour
24 Average student age
Twenty national championships, dozens of conference and regional titles and numerous alumni who moved on to fouryear schools, and some ultimately to professional sports. It all tells the story of the outstanding athletic heritage that Mesa Community College has written for more than 50 years.
MCC sports have produced countless thrilling moments and lasting memories. These pages illustrate just a few.
1,264 Number of All-Americans (approx.)
229 ACCAC & Region I Championships
17 Players in NFL
21 Players in Major League Baseball
National Champions (20)
Men’s Indoor Track & Field (1) 1974
Women’s Outdorr Track & Field (1) 1979
ACCAC Champions (129)
Region I, Division I Champions (76)
Region
20 National
16 Top Ten Natioal Finishes
Last 5 Years
170 NJCAA Academic Honorees
Last 5 Years
2022-23 tennis schedules
men
Day Date Opponent Site
September
Fri-Sat 16-17 at Firestorm Inv. Glendale, AZ
Sat 24 at Arizona Christian Glendale, AZ
October
Fri-Sat 14-15 at AZ Christian Inv. Glendale, AZ
November
Fri-Sun 11-13 T-Bird Inv. Mesa, AZ
January
Sat 28 at Northern Arizona Flagstaff, AZ
February
Sat 4 Western New Mexico Mesa, AZ
Sat 11 Ottawa (AZ) Mesa, AZ
Sat 25 Arizona State U Club Mesa, AZ
Tue 28 Parsdise Valley* Mesa, AZ
March
Thu 2 Glendale* Mesa, AZ
Fri 3 William Jessup Mesa, AZ
Sat 4 Arizona State U Club Mesa, AZ
Thu 9 at Paradise Valley* Paradise Valley, AZ
Mon 13 Pratt CC Mesa, AZ
Tue 14 Pratt CC Mesa, AZ
Tue 21 at Glendale* Glendale, AZ
Wed 22 Pacific Lutheran Mesa, AZ
Tue 28 Paradise Valley* Mesa, AZ
Thu 30 Glendale* Mesa, AZ
April
Sat 8 Grand Canyon U. Club Mesa, AZ
Tue-Wed 11-12 Region I Tourn. Glendale, AZ
May
Mon-Fri 15-19 NJCAA Div. I National Ch. McKinley, Texas
Women
Day Date Opponent Site
September
Fri-Sat 16-17 at Firestorm Inv. Glendale, AZ
Sat 24 at Arizona Christian Glendale, AZ
October
Fri-Sat 14-15 at AZ Christian Inv. Glendale, AZ
November
Mon. 7 Eastern Arizona Mesa, AZ
Fri-Sun 11-13 T-Bird Inv. Mesa, AZ
Tue 22 at Glendale Glendale, AZ
January
Fri 31 Pacific Lutheran Mesa, AZ
February
Sat 4 Western New Mexico Mesa, AZ
Sat 25 Arizona State U Club Mesa, AZ
Thu 23 at Eastern Arizona* Thatcher, AZ
March
Thu 2 Glendale* Mesa, AZ
Fri 3 William Jessup Mesa, AZ
Sat 4 Arizona State U Club Mesa, AZ
Tue 7 Eastern Arizona* Mesa, AZ
Thu 9 at Paradise Valley* Paradise Valley, AZ
Sat 11 Arizona Christian Mesa, AZ
Mon 13 Pratt CC Mesa, AZ’
Tue 14 Pratt CC Mesa, AZ
Sat 18 Colorado State Mesa, AZ
Tue 21 at Glendale* Glendale, AZ
Thu 23 at Eastern Arizona* Thatcher, AZ
Sat 25 Highline Mesa, AZ
Tue 28 Paradise Valley* Mesa, AZ
Thu 30 Glendale* Mesa, AZ
April
Sat 8 Grand Canyon U. Club Mesa, AZ
Tue-Wed 11-12 Region I Tourn. Glendale, AZ
May
Sat-Wed 6-10 NJCAA Div. I National Ch. Tyler, Texas