Crystal River is making transition, coach says

The season is going almost as expected for Laura Flanagan's Crystal River girls. Maybe a little better than expected since the Pirates are 4-3.

"They've played well, but there's still room for improvement," Flanagan said. "I'm anxious to see the second half of the year."

Unlike last season, Flanagan's first after coaching successful programs at Lecanto for several years, this has been one of transition as opposed to a complete overhaul.

Crystal River has a "nice mix" of experience and youth, with two seniors, two freshmen and one sophomore. Of those, the most impressive results have come from senior Elizabeth Walling (No. 2 singles), sophomore Scarlet McKethan (5-3) and freshman Elizabeth DeRevere.

"We have senior experience and maturity to lead the team, and we have freshmen who know how to play," Flanagan said. "Basically, any one of them can beat any of the others on any given day, so we're pretty even."

Flanagan is especially impressed with her freshmen and says she thinks Ashley Christie and DeRevere can make some good things happen in the second half of the season.

"Both of them lost a lot of three-set matches, and I'd like to see some improvement," Flanagan said.

"Ashley has been taught by her father, and she's very coachable and improving every day," the coach said. "DeRevere just picked tennis up last year. She's taking private lessons and is improving tremendously."

Flanagan's extensive experience as an instructor came in handy last year. This season, however, she is able to do more coaching than teaching -- something she sees as a refreshing change.

"It's a good improvement from last year when I was having to teach the girls how to play," Flanagan said. "It's nice having girls who know how to play, who are coachable and who want to learn and improve too."

BEST TO BETTER: It's not as if five-time defending district champion Lecanto needed more talent, but the Panthers got it anyway.

Amanda Long, the team's No. 1 player in 2000, has returned after a two-year battle with a back injury. Long, a district runner-up in 2000, has been out of action since that season's regional championships.

BIG MATCH: Lecanto will put its 58-match win streak on the line at 2 p.m. today at Citrus. The Panthers have not lost since 1997.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright