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Preps
Team to Watch
By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 15, 2003
The boys and girls are the only undefeated duo in the Pinellas County Athletic Conference. The boys' success is a credit to depth; the Eagles haven't missed a beat without senior Ryan Buchanan, who has been recovering from surgery. Senior Adel Naser has headed up the team at No. 1 and junior Anastaysia Sokolova led the girls to their perfect mark.
After the Green Devils pulled out a close match against Seminole (6-2) he said the seniors talked to the team about playing too relaxed.
"I think they were a bit too confident and that they let a couple of matches slip," Turnquist said.
The seniors met with the team and told the other players this is the best chance they have had to go undefeated. The seniors also said they want to go out winning, and for now the talk seems to have worked.
"I'm happy with things," Turnquist said.
The Green Devils (9-0) have yet to meet East Lake (9-0), the only other undefeated boys team in the PCAC, and that won't happen until April 9. St. Petersburg's top five players have lost only four matches. No. 1 Alamgir Wali, a senior, and No. 3 Mike Brady, a sophomore, have won all of their matches.
By the time St. Petersburg plays East Lake, it could have Canadian freshman Alexander Lord-Andrade on its roster. Turnquist said he has requested eligibility from the Florida High School Activities Association and is waiting for a reply. Once in the lineup, Turnquist expects Lord-Andrade to play at the No. 2 spot.
While Lakewood's record might reflect an unstoppable team, the Spartans will face their toughest competition at the end of the season. East Lake (9-0), Palm Harbor U. (8-1) and Seminole (7-1) make up three of Lakewood's final four matches
"The big test comes at the end of the season," Lakewood coach Ron Kennedy said.
"Our kids have played consistent." Kennedy said the Spartans have been tested by Clearwater (6-3), Countryside (5-3) and St. Petersburg (5-4).
"They've given us a little insight into the kind of team we have," Kennedy said.
Freshman No. 2 Allison Sakiottis and senior Cori Sundstrum, who sat out last season recovering from a car accident, is back in strong form at the No. 3 spot. And No. 1 senior Kaela Kennedy remains steady and will have to be for the Spartans to compete late in the season.
Still, IRC coach Doug Rose said he is a little surprised at the Eagles' performance.
"My No. 2 doubles team is a point I can always count on," Rose said.
Freshman Kyle Woodbury and junior Amit Patel make up IRC's No. 2 doubles, which has remained undefeated. Freshmen Philip Barlow and Matthew Buckles have jelled as the No. 1 doubles team as well, Rose said.
Like many private schools, the team has a two-week break from competitive action beginning Monday. Rose said he hopes the team doesn't come back rusty from the layoff.
-- Compiled by Laura Lee.