TJC's Jacob Daffern plays the ball during Saturday's South District soccer championship against Jones College of Mississippi.  Photo by Amanda Cirigliano

Earlier on Saturday, TJC celebrated the past. A few hours later, current Apache teams made a bit of history of their own.

Three Tyler Junior College squads clinched berths in national tournaments with wins. Earning bids were women’s soccer, followed by volleyball and topped off by men’s soccer.

“It was a good day for TJC,” men’s soccer coach Steve Clements said.

Around noon, the school inducted seven into the Sports Circle of Honor.

Then it was time to hit the pitch and on the court.

VOLLEYBALL 

In Baytown, the Apache Ladies won the Region XIV championship with a 3-1 victory over Navarro College at Lee College.

TJC (27-6) won its 15th straight game by downing the Lady Bulldogs 19-25, 25-15, 25-20 and 25-21.

It is the third straight trip to nationals for coach Brandi Hood and her Apache Ladies. 

After finishing fourth in the nation last year, the Apache Ladies will return to Hutchinson, Kansas, for nationals on Nov. 15-17.

Before beating Navarro, TJC defeated Panola 3-2 (25-20, 25-23, 24-26, 19-25, 15-10) to advance to the regional finals.

The region gets two bids to nationals with Navarro playing either Trinity Valley or Panola at 3 p.m. Sunday for the right to advance to Hutch.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

The Apache Ladies will get a chance to defend their national title after defeating Jones College of Ellisville, Mississippi, 3-1, in the South District championship at Pat Hartley Field.

TJC (20-1-1), winners of 11 straight, advances to the NJCAA Tournament scheduled for Nov. 12-17 in Foley, Alabama.

Coach Corey Rose’s squad took a 2-0 halftime lead on goals by Jullia Trabach (unassisted) and Maria De La Fuente, assist by Hitomi Kono.

The Lady Bobcats pulled within 2-1 in the second half on a goal by Mikayla Banks off an assist from Esmeralda Figueroa.

In the 80th minute, TJC went up by two when Patricia Estupinan scored an unassisted goal.

Jones falls to 14-3.

MEN’S SOCCER

Clements’ Apaches are heading to nationals for an incredible 10th straight year.

This year’s club has some 18 freshmen but TJC will try to win its third straight national championship at the national tourney on Nov. 12-17 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

TJC also won over Jones College. The Apaches won 3-0.

Tyler (18-2) took a 1-0 halftime lead on an unassisted goal by Jake Morris.  

In the second half, Dylan Bufton scored two goals. The first score was unassisted with Jacob Daffern assisting on the second.

Neil Strauber was in goal for the clean sheet.

The Bobcats fall to 14-3-1.