The K-Swiss league wrapped up its summer season with the playoffs last month at Royal Racquet Club in Clearwater.
David Arrison and Rob Edwards won regional titles in a Tampa Bay-Southwest playoff.
The summer season was the first for Arrison, from Pinellas Park. Arrison was seeded No. 2 in the 3.0 playoff and beat Steve Hoskins in straight sets in the final. In the regional final, Arrison won in two sets.
"I got stronger every match I played," Arrison said. "I had played in high school but quit. When my job changed, I signed up for the summer league. Right now, I play pretty defensive but will be working on becoming offensive. I'll need to do that as I play better players."
Edwards had played about four seasons of K-Swiss before winning the 2.5 division last month. Training for a marathon helped during his final matches, he said.
"I was just the ninth seed in the playoffs, so it felt really good to finish first," Edwards said. "I was down 4-0 in my semifinal match and came back to win. In the final, I was down 5-1 and dug in, kicked into gear and came back to win 7-6, 6-3."
It also was the first league for Catherine Cobb, who plays at the Renaissance Vinoy. Cobb beat clubmate Pam Gallauer in the 3.5-minus final.
"Pam and I actually started playing at about the same time, about 31/2 years ago," Cobb said. "I have quite a bit of stamina, having run six marathons. So I have a mind-set to not give up, work hard and dig deep.
"Actually, Pam is my doubles partner in some other leagues, but it was fun playing in the final. This fall, I plan on playing in the 3.5 division. I'm also playing in the Satellite Ladies Doubles League and the South Pinellas doubles for the Vinoy.
"So that should give me a fair amount of tennis."
Fernando Gonzalez signed up for his first K-Swiss league and won the 4.5-minus division in straight sets as the No. 2 seed.
"It was a good season for me, and I really enjoy meeting all the people," Gonzalez said. "I don't have just one style. I play deep into the court and yet like to go to the net and volley.
"Tennis is my real hobby. I've played since I was 12 and through high school and then stopped. Now I hope to play up to the 5.5 division by next summer."
Gonzalez said the 6-3, 6-3 final does not show how difficult the match was with Pete Swartz, with most games reaching deuce.
Claudia Meza, a former No. 2 player for Stetson, was taken to three sets in a semifinal with Tampa's Linda Cantrell and won the final 6-2, 6-1 against Tampa's Liz Leigh.
"This was my first time to play in K-Swiss, and the competition was good, fun and friendly," Meza said. "The flex league scheduling is perfect for me since I'm an on-site substitute teacher at Maximo Elementary. I'm hoping to play in a 5.5 division this fall."
Cheryl Briske, a three-set winner in the 4.5-minus division, relied on her forehand to get through the season and playoffs.
"My forehand, plus being able to scramble to get one more ball back, was key for me," Briske said. "In the semifinal, I was down 4-1 in the third set and came back to win. In the final, I was up 4-2 and had to scramble to hang on against (Jayne Lewis)."
In the 4.5 division, Cindy Nunn won in straight sets but lost in the regional final in a tight three-set match that concluded in a tiebreaker.
Other local winners were: Laura Hungiville (4.0-minus), Kevin Hayslett (4.5-minus), Bill Christenson (5.5) and Mark Palus (6.0).
Tampa Bay runners-up were Nancy Morgan (4.5), Melissa Compton (4.0), Teena Marks (4.0-minus), Angie Reagan (3.5), Roy Miller (3.5-minus), Gregg Golding (3.5), Steve Alford (5.0) and Dana Dunham (5.5).
The fall season begins Sept. 20 and continues through mid November. Playoffs are scheduled to begin Nov. 19 with the semifinals and finals Dec. 13-14.
For details, call 865-0615.
NET SHOTS: Jeff Chambers defended his No. 1 seeding in the Hunter's Green Adult Challenge with a 6-2, 6-1 win over No. 2 Bill Macom in the 35-and-over singles. No. 1 Jeff Davis beat No. 2 Andres Molina in the 45 division by the same score.
Top seed Nicholas Berning won three matches to reach the boys 16-and-under final in the Tampa Palms Junior Summertime Classic. Berning won the final in straight sets. Robert Perry won the boys 10 in two sets. Oldsmar's Alex Fisch upset the boys 12 top seed in three sets.
Singles runners-up included: Jeremy Fisch in boys 10, Rebecca Bodine in girls 14 and Shauntie Southern in the girls 10 round robin.
Consolation winners were Nicholas Fisch in boys 10 and Nick Gallauer the boys 16.
MARK THE DATES: The 10th annual Humane Society Charity tournament is Sept. 10-14 at Royal Racquet Club. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society.
To enter the men's, women's and mixed doubles tournament, call 791-8415.
Shipwatch Tennis Club is having a Cash Back tournament Oct. 4-5 in 7.0 and 8.0 mixed doubles divisions. For information, call 596-6862.
The 20th Annual Raymond James Pro/Am tournament, a benefit for All Children's Hospital, is Oct. 11-12 at the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club. Call Ed Setaro at 360-8796 for information.
COMING UP: The TPA Winter Classic 2003, a junior singles event, begins Saturday at the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg. Call 527-6553. ... The River Hills Fall Kick-Off Classic is Sept. 13-15. To enter the adult age-division singles and doubles event, call (813) 653-3776 before Sept. 10. ... The SPTC Adult Classic Championships are Sept. 19-22 at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Call Al Sarmiento at 360-2643.
