Grey turns it around

When Lori Grey (Seminole) decided her third tennis season at the University of Georgia wasn't starting the way it should, she had a good talk with herself.

Grey listened, and she ended up enjoying another successful year.

"I knew it was mostly mental, so I told myself to settle down and do what I knew I was capable of doing," Grey said.

"After that, my attitude changed and I turned what seemed to be a losing season into a winning one," said the 20-year-old.

Grey compiled a 25-10 singles record and was 25-12 in doubles. She was selected first-team All-Southeastern Conference in doubles with Agata Cioroch, and the 17th-ranked duo received an NCAA Championships berth.

Grey has been as high as No.32 in singles. Last season, she was moved from the Bulldogs' sixth position to No.4.

"I got my confidence back, I played better and it helped me even more when Coach moved me up," Grey said.

"I've learned to be very focused on court and know that I can do more than I do sometimes. I do have a lot of pride, so I do want to do well."

Grey is proud of the squad's success in an injury-riddled season. Georgia won the SEC, was 26-2 and ranked third in the nation, and reached the NCAA semifinals.

"It was really amazing that we won the National Indoors and we only had six players," she said. "That shows how much heart the whole team had."

Grey is preparing for her final season and a return to All-American status.

"We won the NCAA when I was a freshman in 2000, the national indoor this past year (the first title since 1994) and the SEC twice (2000, 2002)," Grey said. "I'd like to see us do some of those again."

MORE TENNIS: Gina Craig (Canterbury/UNC Charlotte) has transferred to South Florida. This weekend, Craig and Natalie Tirapelli (Canterbury) are competing in doubles of a collegiate tournament in Tallahassee. Tirapelli completed her first year at Connecticut with a 22-7 singles record. During the summer, Craig and Tirapelli are working in tennis camps at Renaissance Vinoy.

SOFTBALL: In her first two years at Gardner-Webb University (N.C.), Stephanie Schrum (Palm Harbor University) has led the team in hits, runs and stolen bases. The switch-hitter batted .331 this season, sparking Gardner-Webb to a second-place finish in the NCAA tournament.

BASEBALL: Kris Wilson (Tarpon Springs/Georgia Tech) was called up to the Kansas City Royals last month. The right-handed pitcher was 2-0 with a 3.08 ERA for AAA Omaha. ... Left-hander Ryan Snare (East Lake/North Carolina) was transferred to the Reds' AA Chattanooga Lookouts team last month after compiling an 8-1 record and 2.47 ERA with the Stockton A squad. Clayton Andrews (Largo) is a Lookouts pitcher, and Andrew Beattie (Clearwater) is an outfielder for Stockton. Andrews was placed on the disabled list in mid May. Beattie leads Stockton in doubles (12) and RBI (36). ... New Haven's starting catcher, Chris Heintz (Countryside/South Florida), has raised his batting average to .366, leading the Cardinals' AA, Eastern League affiliate. ... Right-hander Boof Bonsor (Gibbs) has a 2-1 mark with San Jose in the Giants' A division. ... Third baseman Corey Slavik (Boca Ciega/Wake Forest) is hitting .246 for Lansing (Mich.), a Chicago Cubs A team in the Midwest League. ... Right-hander Petersen Benjamin (East Lake/Florida Atlantic) is 1-4 for the Giants' Hagerstown Suns A club in the South Atlantic League. ... Stetson's Ryan Heacox (Shorecrest) tops the Clark Griffith Collegiate Baseball League in saves as a reliever for the Vienna Mustangs.

SWIMMING: Katy Booth (Northeast/Virginia Tech/South Florida) is coaching the St.Petersburg Country Club team. ... Scott Tucker (Seminole/Auburn) won the 100 freestyle in the Santa Clara International Meet in California. His 50.35 was the second best time by an American.

BASKETBALL: Colin Shaw (Seminole) has transferred from UNC Asheville to Saint Leo University. The 6-foot-6 Shaw was a guard/forward his freshman and sophomore seasons.

-- News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namgamma@gte.net or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, Fla. 33756. Please include your phone number.

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