ZTA pleased with annual tournament

This year's Zephyrhills Tennis Association tournament drew its largest crowd with 45 players.

Held over a 10-day period, the competition included women's open doubles, men's open and 70-plus doubles, open mixed doubles and men's open and 65-plus singles.

"It was good play for us," second-term ZTA president Barry Roades said. "We had the most-ever players entered in any of our events and all but one got finished."

The men's open singles final between high schooler John Thai and Ben Macaya will be played this week, according to Roades.

In the women's open doubles competition, Lani Prilliman and Jean Stallcup defeated Cellie Forrester and Jo Cerny for the title. Cheerie Mandel and Mary Lynn Lacson were third. The women's doubles champions split and Stallcup teamed with Barry Herscovitch to defeat Prilliman and Steve Herman in the mixed open doubles. Cheerie and Emerson Mandel were third.

Herscovitch earned his second title when he paired with Roy Nyren to win the men's open doubles against Macaya and Kris Krishnaraj. Mandel and Eddie Lacson were third.

Gil Henderson won the 65-plus singles over Art Higby. Dave Powell placed third. Higby then teamed with Roy Messink to defeat Leo Hemal and Wally Port. Joe McGovern and Leo Forrester finished third.

Joining Roades in a second term as officers for the ZTA are Herscovitch at vice president and Dot Worrell treasurer.

"We're planning a play-and-pizza time on Feb. 17 for anyone who wishes to join us," said Roades. "We'll play starting at 4 and afterwards go for pizza. We're happy to have club members or non-members join us."

The ZTA's next tournament is March 16 when Roades plans to direct a one-day doubles tournament. Call Roades, (813) 779-9084, for details.

NET NOTES: Lutz's Brendan McKay, No. 2 seed in the boys 14-and-under division, won the consolation draw last month in the Second Annual Junior Championships at the Westin Innisbrook Resort.

New Port Richey's Nicola Wellman won the girls 10-and-under and Miguel Muguruza of Wesley Chapel the boys 12 in the Junior New Year Kickoff at Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club. In their final matches, Wellman defeated Tampa's Shelbie Bynum 6-1, 6-3 and Muguruza beat Wesley Chapel's Chris Gupta 6-2, 6-2.

Finalists included Yoji Masuoka in the boys 18 and Tatiana Vertiz in the girls 14. Among the consolation winners were Yui Shimizu in the girls 18, Annica Johansson in the girls 16, Kaitlyn Hastings in the girls 14 and Alex Nilsen in the boys 14.

Brianna Williams (16), Ben Rufer (18), Marc Spicijaric (16) and Tyler Brown (12) won titles in last weekend's Train Smart Clay Court Championships in Tampa.

SUPER SENIOR: After the Phil Green Tennis Academy handed Westin Innisbrook Resort's 3.5 super senior men's team its first loss last week to become assure PGTA of being the only undefeated team in the division, PGTA beat Royal Racquet Club 3-0. Winning were Dick Lashley and Bill Schieman in No. 1, Bob Berkstresser and Fred Elflein in No. 2 and John Kuhn and Woody Woodbury in No. 3.

COMING UP: The TPA Winter Challenge is this weekend in St. Petersburg for junior singles competitors. Call John Haggar, (727) 527-6553, today. ... Also this weekend is the Royal NTRP Classic at Royal Racquet Club. Call Donna Szazynski, (727) 791-8415, today to enter the men's and women's singles and mixed doubles. ... The Winter Wonders Championships are in Clearwater on Feb. 16-18 for juniors. Call Tomas Ollestad, (727) 669-1919.

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