Table Tennis

Mississippi College Table Tennis Team Launches 4th Season

Mississippi College’s Table Tennis Team entered its 4th season with high hopes of improving its No. 5 national ranking.

And so far, so good. During Homecoming 2010 weekend on October 16, the Choctaws cruised to victory at the Dixie Division Tournament at the Baptist Healthplex. MC defeated such foes as Alabama-Huntsville, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, West Florida, and the University of Alabama.

Another win at its spring Dixie Division tournament, and Mississippi College will punch its ticket to the 2011 Nationals in Rochester, Minnesota in April. MC’s team in 2010-2011 is strengthened by the addition of newcomer Yang Yu, an MBA student who’s a native of China. He joins strong veteran players like Yuliang “Bill’’ Cai and Zhicheng “Johnson’’ Liang, both natives of China.

Captain Ken Qiu returns for his 4th season. The architect of the team from its beginnings in 2007, Ken is a business graduate student and full-time International Programs Office staff member. MC sophomore Ben VanHorn  of Clinton is improving his game and was elevated to the “A’’ team at the recent Dixie Division tourney.

MC finished in 16th place at the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association’s Championships in Rochester, Minnesota in 2009. They moved up to 5th place at the Nationals in April 2010 near Milwaukee. Powerhouses like Texas Wesleyan, Lindenwood University, Princeton and the University of Ottawa remain strong again during the 2010-2011 season.

Fans of Mississippi College table tennis are encouraged to show their support at the Dixie Division tourney on Feb. 19. The action begins at 9 a.m. at the Baptist Healthplex. The team practices three days a week at Alumni Gym. MC has proven itself to be among the elite programs of the 150 colleges in the USA and Canada with table tennis teams. Go Choctaws!!