Starting in 1998, the MCCC women’s tennis team established a dynasty that continued for more than a decade. The Vikings were national champs four times (1999, 2000, 2002, and 2005) and finished in second place four times (1998, 2001, 2006, and 2011). In 1998, during Head Coach Marc Vecchiolla’s first year, the team went 9-0 and finished second at the NJCAA National Tournament. Then, in 1999, they again went to nationals and this time came home with the title.
The following year, only two players returned from the championship team: Barb Pleva, who moved from no. 5 to no. 1, and Naomi Okubo, who moved from no. 6 to no. 2. With new players at the 3 through 6 spots, expectations were lower. During the regular season, the Vikings suffered a loss to Brookdale and were not favored to win the Region 19 tournament. But win they did, earning a return trip to the national tournament in Tucson, (Ariz.).
The Vikings beat Montgomery College of Rockville (Md.), by the slimmest of margins: just one-half point to earn the title. Five players were named All-Americans.
Barb Pleva, who was older than her traditional age college teammates, was determined to help them win. She was able to do just that – first in 1999 and then again in 2000, when the half point she earned in her consolation match at no. 1 proved the deciding factor. Pleva joined the coaching staff and has been coaching alongside Vecchiolla and Ralph Bencivengo ever since.
The 2000 team had the kind of chemistry that is hard to find – and made them hard to beat. Their families were part of it too; some parents made the trip to nationals. Even though players have moved all over the country, the friendships they developed – with each other and their coaches – have endured.
Members of the 2000 Championship Team
Coach - Marc Vecchiolla
Assistant Coach - Ralph Bencivengo
