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Westin Innisbrook Resort beat 14 teams for its fifth Satellite Ladies Doubles League title.
Since joining the league in 1995, Innisbrook has finished first or second each season. "We have a solid, well-constructed lineup and use our subs appropriately," captain Anne Hammond said.
Innisbrook won all its team matches to earn 357 points. It finished 23 ahead of three-time champion Feather Sound Country Club. McMullen of Clearwater was third with 304, and Countryside Racquets fourth with 289.
Defending No.1 for Innisbrook were Debbie McGinley and Maureen Sternberg, joined by Melanie Nyman and Betsy Wunderlich at No.2, Hammond and Marie Hanff No.3 and Terri Lyman and Dale Slive No.4.
Leading off the second half of the team were Cheryl Cravener and Lynn Goldman at No.5, co-captain Kay Fitzpatrick and Sue Luidens No.6, Bonny Boosales and Josie Doucette No.7 and Jean McKenzie and Kathie Roberts No.8. McKenzie was replaced by Phyllis Gary during the last month of the league because of illness.
Although the regular teams played most matches, substitutes Lisa Durkin, Shirley Palmer, Susan Bucci, Cindy Corbett, Kay Clark, Irene Baxter, Jan Willets and Reme Johnson were used.
Last weekend Innisbrook competed in the USA Tennis Florida Super Seniors 3.5 Women's Championship, where it finished second.
"We had a fantastic time and tried our best to represent the area well," Ahrens said. "We gave it a great effort but fell a little short. To win or lose a tiebreaker here and there makes a big difference at the state level."
The two-time defending state champion faced Gainesville and Stuart in a double round-robin format. Among the players were Satellite regulars Hammond, Sternberg, Boosales, Doucette, Fitzpatrick, Luidens and Gary. Rounding out the team were Nancy Kraemer, Joan Holland, Johnson and captain Shirl Ahrens.
Innisbrook finished with a 2-2 record, and all team scores were 2-1.
Innisbrook's No.1 team of Ahrens and Sternberg and No.2 team of Luidens and Doucette beat Gainesville. Ahrens and Sternberg won at No.2 in a third-set tiebreaker, and Hammond paired with Johnson to win at No.3 against Stuart.
In a second match with Gainesville, only Luidens and Fitzpatrick in No.3 won for Innisbrook. Against Stuart, Ahrens and Sternberg scored Innisbrook's only point in the No. 1 position.
Stuart won the state title.
NET SHOTS: In other Florida super senior championships, Shipwatch Tennis Club's 3.5 men's team was third in its six-team flight with a 3-2 record.
A Tampa-based 4.0 men's team won the championship among 11 teams.
Lindsay Dvorak (girls 14-and-under); Jamie Mera and Alexis Dorr (16); Clint Bowles and Jeff Dadamo (boys 16); George Navas and Alex Vuckovic (18) reached the quarterfinals in last weekend's ATP Gator Bowl Championships in Ponte Vedra.
Pro Kelly McCain, 21, of Saddlebrook raised her singles ranking to No. 178 after a win in the Chris Evert USTA Satellite and semifinal results in two other satellite-level events.
CELEBRATE: May is national tennis month, and the Suncoast Tennis Foundation plans to celebrate with a free USA Tennis Rock and Rally event. Players and non-players are invited to attend the event 10 a.m.-9 p.m. May 22 at Westfield Shoppington Countryside.
The Rock and Rally is a hands-on activity for all ages and levels. A variety of prizes are available.
Visit www.ourtennis.net for details.
COMING UP: The Train Smart Tennis Super Series begins May 15 in Tampa for juniors 18 and younger. Call Alan Williams at 813 962-4253. ... Innisbrook offers high intensity tennis camp for juniors beginning weekly May 24. Call Jim Hord at 942-5241. ... East Lake Woodlands hosts the 14th annual Morton Plant Mease Fundraiser Tennis Tournament May 28-31. Men's, women's and mixed doubles in 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and open divisions are available. Call 785-2212 or e-mail MPMTennis@aol.com ... Zephyrhills Tennis Association is offering free lessons for ages 6-14 on July 12-16 at the Zephyr Park tennis courts. For details, call (352) 518-9380.