Teenager moving up ranks fast

It's natural that 13 year-old Alexis Kreplick plays tennis beyond her years.

The Wesley Chapel resident took up the sport at the age of 4, has been in honors classes since second grade, and earned a black belt in karate when she was 10.

"Karate definitely helped me with hand-eye coordination and flexibility, which you need for tennis," Kreplick said. "But I needed time for tennis, too, and so I gave up the karate."

With more time open for tennis, Kreplick's game improved. Although she's doesn't keep close track of USTA section rankings and she didn't play many of the 12-and-under singles tournaments, Kreplick was ranked first or second in that division in the USTA Midwest Section.

"Even before I had to play in the 14 division, that's where I played the most and I was at least in the top 20," Kreplick said. "Mostly, I try not to worry about rankings at this stage and work on improving my game."

With her game on the rise, the Kreplick family left the Chicago area in August for Wesley Chapel and Saddlebrook Academy.

In last weekend's state-designated junior singles competition at Seminole Lake Tennis Center, Kreplick won three straight-set matches to reach the quarterfinal round in the girls 14.

After taking two months off due to a foot injury, Kreplick's confidence is coming back.

Kreplick's next stop will be in Orlando in the Seminole County Sunshine Super Series Feb. 1-3.

MORE DESIGNATED RESULTS: While No. 1 seed Kyle Kunnen of Clearwater won the boys 10 title, unseeded Nathan Graddy of Lutz upset the No. 2 and No. 9 seeds to reach the main-draw semifinal. Tanner Brown played to the boys 10 consolation final.

No. 14 Miranda Gutierrez reached the girls 18 semifinal round and placed fourth overall.

Other area finishes included Becky Bodine reaching the girls 10 semifinal and No. 3 Morgan Frank the girls 14 semifinal; George Navas reaching the boys 16 consolation semifinal and Haley Dodson the boys 18 consolation semis; and Morgan Basil reaching the girls 14 consolation quarterfinal round.

LEAGUE RESULTS: In the Senior Women's 4.0 Doubles League, New Port Richey's Ria Graham teamed with Hank Skoczen to win the No. 1 position for Paradise Island over Royal Racquet Club. Paradise Island won, 3-0, and is currently in first-place holding an edge over the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg. The two meet Feb. 1.

In the Senior Men's 3.5 Doubles League, the Phil Green Tennis Academy in Safety Harbor beat Innisbrook 3-0 for its fourth win and Innisbrook's third loss. Winning for PGTA were Bill Schieman and Richard Hough in No. 1, David Parris and Ron Lynn No. 2 and Ken Hogle and Carlo Mugavero No. 3.

This week, Innisbrook plays at Countryside Country Club and PGTA has a bye.

Innisbrook's super senior 3.5 women's squad won its second of two matches with three straight-set wins over Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club. Maureen Sternberg and Shirl Ahrens in No. 1, Phylis Gary and Nancy Kraemer in No. 2 and Reme Johnson and Diane Galemmo in No. 3 scored wins for Innisbrook.

Monday, the two-team women's super senior 4.0 league begins its three-match season with PGTA, including Pasco players Graham and Sternberg, traveling to the the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club.

Two senior mixed doubles teams squared off in the 6.5 division last week with the Ron Sternberg-led Innisbrook team winning 2-1 over the Willets-led Innisbrook squad.

Maureen and Ron Sternberg beat Kathie Roberts and Joe Bailey in No. 1, and Gary teamed with Bob Hammond in No. 3 to defeat Janice and Dick Willets. Innisbrook's No. 2 team of Marilyn Linker and Bob Barry beat Kathryn and John Fitzpatrick.

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