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Spartans play hosts at HCC
By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer WESLEY CHAPEL -- Here's a scenario you don't hear every day: World-renowned tennis resort asks the local community college if it can use the facilities. Saddlebrook Prep, with the defending girls state champions and boys runners-up, was to host two Class A matches today, but does not have enough courts available and will hold the match at 9 a.m. at the City of Tampa Tennis Complex at Hillsborough Community College. Saddlebrook's Web site boasts 45 courts on four different surfaces, but coach Walter Eksteen said Thursday that only eight hardcourts would be available, not the 10 needed to hold the boys and girls matches against Lakeland Christian. Saddlebrook offered to host the match on clay courts, but Lakeland Christian declined, so the matches will be held at the 28-court tennis complex across the street from Raymond James Stadium. "For us, it doesn't matter where we play, but we want to make both teams happy," Eksteen said. Both Saddlebrook teams dominated their district tournaments at Berkeley Prep this week, not losing so much as a set. Lakeland Christian isn't likely to challenge, but the Vikings have a few individuals who could give the Spartans trouble. Their No. 1 girls singles player, Jamie Chan, won her sixth straight district title Tuesday -- her streak started as a seventh-grader -- and should be a formidable foe for top seed Emilie Sechaud, a defending state doubles champion. Chan, who will play at Emory University next season, also reached state in doubles last year with No. 2 Maggie Mansfield. Those two will go up against Sechaud and Zarah DeSilva and could meet again at state. On the boys' side, Spartans sophomore Jose Muguruza will go up against Scott Phillips at No. 1 singles. Playing the match on a more neutral site seems fair for a regional, Eksteen said, and the continuity of staying on hardcourt surfaces will help both teams' players when they play at next week's state meet. Eksteen said he knows little about his opponent but is confident in both teams' chances of advancing. "Every school team has two or three players who are tournament players, but the rest may only play seasonally," Eksteen said. "The team has to step up a level and be ready for strong play. You never know -- you could get a team that can compete on the same level as we do."
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