Dedication simply hasn't been a problem this season as Land O'Lakes continues to strive toward its first-ever state appearance.
By GREG AUMAN
Published April 22, 2004
LAND O'LAKES - If it will help get their entire team to the state tournament next week, the Gators have shown they're willing to go the extra mile.
Quite a few, actually.
Anticipating a regional playoff match against Flagler Palm Coast, Gators stars Kyle Staiger and Justin Hill learned their future opponent was scheduled to play Poinciana in Kissimmee earlier this month and decided to go on a reconnaissance mission.
They got to Kissimmee, ready to get a solid scouting report, with one small problem: The match had been canceled.
"We went across the state for nothing, but we tried to scout them," said Staiger, who is undefeated at No. 2 singles and with top seed Vu-Anh Thai in No. 1 doubles this season. "So we're not the best scouts in the world."
For coach Karen Turman, the trip still showed how dedicated her players have been to improving their chances at a first-ever state appearance. That enthusiasm, and the experience of playing in a regional match last year, could be what propels Land O'Lakes to what they've been playing for all season.
"They're gung ho, for sure," Turman said. "But this has been the ultimate goal, from Day One."
Thai and Staiger made it to the state tournament last year by winning the district doubles title, but the rest of the team stayed home.
With a win against Palm Coast on their home courts today at 3 p.m., the Gators can move on together to next week's state tournament in Altamonte Springs.
"We've been looking for that since last year, so it's been a long time coming," said Thai, who avenged two regular-season losses by beating Mitchell's Gregg Strange in the district singles championship.
Last year, the Gators won their first district crown, only to lose to Lakeland George Jenkins 4-1 in the regional. Mike Seidl, who plays No. 3 singles, was the only Gator to win his match last year, but Turman is confident in her entire lineup, especially the doubles pairs of Thai and Staiger and the No. 2 combo of Seidl and Hill.
"Both of our doubles teams are very strong," Turman said. "If we can get just two wins (out of five) in singles, I'm very confident in my doubles."
Two singles wins and two in doubles would be enough for a 4-3 win, but Turman is hoping for more than that. The Gators won six of their seven district finals matches in straight sets, the lone exception being Nathan Kott, who lost 6-0, 7-5 at No. 5 singles.
And despite the failed scouting trip, Staiger can bring some insights to today's match. He began his high school career at Spruce Creek, which beat Palm Coast in last year's regional, so he'll enter the match with some knowledge of his opponent.
Turman said the biggest advantage for the Gators is the familiarity her players will have today, having made their playoff debut last year.
"The experience they got last year, and what Vu and Kyle picked up at states, will definitely help us," she said.
