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Close battles should decide state berths

With a boys win over East Lake and a girls win over Countryside, Seminole would send both its squads to the state championships.

By RODNEY PAGE, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 19, 2002

Today's opponents in the Class 3A, Region 5 boys and girls matches at the McMullen Tennis Center couldn't be more evenly matched.

On the boys side, East Lake won all seven singles and doubles finals and cruised to the District 9 title.

Seminole, the District 10 champ, also won all seven singles and doubles matches and enters the regional with just as much momentum.

Then there's the girls match between Countryside and Seminole. Instead of bringing momentum, these two bring fatigue. Both teams had to play a Wednesday playoff after they tied their district matches. Countryside handled East Lake on Wednesday by winning four of five singles matches, but Seminole needed doubles before disposing of Lakewood 5-2.

"I told the girls to not even pick up a racket (Thursday)," Seminole coach Richard Lally said. "I told them to get their mind off tennis and come back fresh and ready to play Friday."

The Seminole and East Lake boys teams will certainly be rested after an easy district tournament. The Eagles, who finished second in Class 3A last year and return their top three players, were 15-0 in the regular season and won all five singles matches against Seminole in the only regular-season meeting between the teams.

Top player Ryan Buchanan and No. 2 Adel Naser were undefeated during the season. No. 3 Dmitri Bubis, No. 4 Jeff Gilchrist and No. 5 Jason Swenson round out a team that has its sights set on a state title.

But it cannot look past Seminole.

"I'd say right now, because of the competition in the county, Ryan and Adel aren't at the top of their games," East Lake coach Bill Gunther said.

"I think Ryan played better at this time last year than he has this year. Adel's coming around. Those two need to keep up the intensity and stay in it mentally at this time of the year.

"Our Nos. 3 through 5 players are playing very well. Dmitri (Bubis), Jeff Gilchrist and Jeff Swenson are at the top of their games. And Dmitri and Jeff are an incredible doubles team. They're a big key to our team."

The key for Seminole has been No. 1 Scott Forsman and No. 2 Chris Bulone. They also team up for No. 1 doubles. Depth could be the problem for the Warhawks, who were 10-5 in the regular season.

If Seminole's girls can keep up the momentum from Wednesday, they could upset the Cougars. Countryside's No. 1 player, Jennifer Dent, a senior, has the edge over Seminole's No. 1, Amanda Yogus, a freshman.

But the battles at Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 singles should be close. This match should come down to doubles. Countryside's No. 1 team, Dent and Evangelina Soriano, will be tested by Seminole's duo of Yogus and Desiree Collins.

TODAY'S TENNIS REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS

BOYS CLASS 3A, REGION 5

WHO: East Lake vs. Seminole

WHERE: McMullen Tennis Center, Clearwater

WHEN: 1:30 p.m.

AT STAKE: Winner advances to Monday's state tournament in Altamonte Springs.

HOW THEY ADVANCED: East Lake swept the Class 3A, District 9 tournament. Seminole did the same in District 10.

OUTLOOK: East Lake's Ryan Buchanan and Adel Naser will be tested against Seminole's duo of Scott Forsman and Chris Bulone. The tournament will hinge on the Nos. 3, 4 and 5 players. East Lake's Dmitri Bubis, Jeff Gilchrist and Jason Swenson are tough, but so are Seminole's Mike Collins and Christian Bengston. East Lake advanced to the state tournament last season, so experience might come into play.

BOYS CLASS A, REGION 5

WHO: Shorecrest vs. Bradenton Academy

WHERE: Bollettieri Tennis Center, Bradenton

WHEN: 10 a.m.

AT STAKE: Winner advances to Tuesday's state tournament in Tallahassee.

HOW THEY ADVANCED: Shorecrest won all but No. 1 singles at the Class A, District 9 tournament. Bradenton Academy swept the A-10 tournament.

OUTLOOK: This will be a huge test for the Chargers. Their top five players -- Christian Yepes, Jon Bonner, Jared Abelman, Ben Olsen and Cain Soltoff -- will be tested against Bradenton Academy, a perennial state contender comprised of students from the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy.

GETTING THERE: Take Interstate 275 south to the US 19 exit. US 19 becomes US 41, which becomes US 301. Turn right on FL 64 and travel 4 miles. Turn right on 75th St. W, bear right on 75th St. NW.

GIRLS CLASS 3A, REGION 5

WHO: Seminole vs. Countryside

WHERE: McMullen Tennis Center, Clearwater

WHEN: 1:30 p.m.

AT STAKE: Winner advances to Monday's state tournament in Altamonte Springs.

HOW THEY ADVANCED: Both teams needed a Wednesday playoff to advance. Seminole defeated Lakewood 5-2. Countryside took four of five singles matches to defeat East Lake.

OUTLOOK: Countryside was undefeated in the regular season, which included a win over Seminole. Countryside looks to have an advantage at Nos. 1 and 2 singles with Jennifer Dent and Evangelina Soriano. Seminole's top two, Amanda Yogus and Desiree Collins, are talented, but perhaps not enough for Countryside. Cougars No. 3 Yuri Kurashima is also tough. These teams are both tired, so stamina will play a role.

GIRLS CLASS A, REGION 5

WHO: Clearwater Central Catholic vs. Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy

WHERE: The Athletic Center of Lakewood Ranch

WHEN: 3 p.m.

AT STAKE: Winner advances to Tuesday's state tournament in Tallahassee.

HOW THEY ADVANCED: CCC was an upset winner in A-9. Out-of-Door won A-10 over Bradenton Saint Stephen's 17-16.

OUTLOOK: CCC is young, with no seniors and one junior. Jackie Roether (No. 2 singles) and Kristy Klibanoff (No. 3) were district champions. Jill Smith and Chelsea Canton are also important parts of the team. Out-of-Door Academy is led by No. 1 Chloe Lipp and No. 2 Amanda Petruzzi.

GETTING THERE: Take Interstate 75 south to SR 610 east exit and take a left. Facility is 1/2 mile on the left.

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