Doubles matches doom Lecanto

By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 27, 2003

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Four days after winning its first district title since 1997, Lecanto fell short in its bid to return to the state tournament, losing to Gainesville Eastside 4-3 at Gainesville's Northeast Park in Class 2A, Region 3.

The Panthers led 3-2 after singles play but lost both doubles matches in straight sets.

"I'm not disappointed," Lecanto coach Bill Murray said. "We had a great year. We're very happy with them. That's the furthest they've been in years."

The Panthers got singles wins from No.3 Ravi Parikh, No.4 Adam Talley and No.5 Andy Montag. Eastside was fourth at state last year and three of the school's players were district champions.

Rams No.1 Pat Chang, a four-time district champion, won at singles and doubles.

Panthers' streak ends

For a change, Lecanto won't be going to the state tournament.

The Panthers lost their Class 2A, Region 3 match to Gainesville Eastside 4-3 on Saturday at Gainesville's Northeast Park, failing to advance past regions for the first time since 1997.

The match was delayed a day by rain.

"It's kind of disappointing," Lecanto junior Ashley Campbell said. "But we did the best we can and that's all you can ask for. They were very good. They were well-conditioned and very strong."

Lecanto was 16-0 and easily won the District 6 title.

No.2 Shreya Rao and No.4 Sireesha Bellam posted singles victories for the Panthers. Bellam's three-set win kept Lecanto alive, but the Panthers needed to win both doubles matches to move on and didn't. They lost at No.1 doubles.

Lecanto beat Eastside 4-3 last year at home in the regions.

"They were tough, but we knew they would be," Panthers coach Joan Roberts said.

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