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Tennis

Ladies doubles league is enjoying its ninth season

By NANCY MORGAN
Published January 26, 2005

Since the spring of 1996, Sam Vuille has coordinated the South Pinellas Ladies Doubles League.

Vuille, St. Petersburg Country Club's tennis director, thought there was a need to provide a friendly, competitive setting for players without the burden of long drives around or outside Pinellas County or fielding a large number of competitors.

His concept worked. Now in its ninth year, the league continues to attract clubs in the south-county area for the 3.0-3.5 and 3.5-4.0 divisions. Each team requires two doubles squads, and substitutes generally are easily found. Capturing the 2004 Fall League was St. Petersburg Tennis Center in the 3.0-3.5 class and Treasure Bay in 3.5-4.0.

"We had very close matches all throughout the season," SPTC captain Joan Malone said. "Even though we pulled out our share of wins, we struggled."

On the team were Caroline Repetta, Cathy Meyer, Marguerite Elkins and Chris Murphy.

Second to SPTC's 15 points in the 10-week action were the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club I and II teams with 13 points each. The Treasure Bay Sunburners were fourth and Treasure Bay Beachers fifth.

"We had an awfully good time and just really enjoy the league," Repetta said. "A lot of the players keep coming back, so we become friends no matter the team. Certainly, we all want to win when we're out there on the court, but it's good, fun tennis."

Treasure Bay edged Treasure Island and St. Petersburg Country Club by one point to take the 3.5-4.0 title. The Renaissance Vinoy finished fourth.

"We were certainly thrilled to win again," Treasure Bay captain Gillian McDonald said. "We've been there before, then struggled and are now back in contention. We're just delighted to have done so well because the league was very competitive. Most of all, we're all enjoying the league so much and just thank Sam for continuing to provide it for us."

Playing for Treasure Bay were Jean Simmons, Sue Best, Judy Hughes, Barbara Murray, Karen Ricknak and Gay Womack.

The 2005 Spring League began last week for eight squads in 3.0-3.5 competition, including defending champion SPTC. Five teams, including defending champ Treasure Bay, are participating in 3.5-4.0. Play continues through March 30. A round-robin event and awards luncheon on April 20 conclude the league.

For information, call 867-9105.

WATCH THE PROS: The dreams of 32 aspiring professionals are on the line this week at McMullen Tennis Complex in the USTA Pro Circuit Sheriff Jim Coats Clearwater Women's Open. The tournament is the third circuit event in Florida and starts the season, which includes 90-plus tourneys. Dunedin High School graduate Erin Heeder received a discretionary wild card in the main draw and faces second-seeded Christina Wheeler of Australia in an opening match today. Wheeler, 22, turned pro in 2000. In '03, the Ukraine-born player was ranked as high as 147.

China's Yan-Ze Xie, a finalist in two earlier circuit events in Florida, is Clearwater's top seed. Among the tournament's youngest players is Ana Tatishville from the Republic of Georgia. The 14-year-old received a wild card into the main draw.

Among the older players is California's Anne Mall, 30, who's working on a comeback after being away from tennis 11 seasons. When 19, Mall played Steffi Graf in the first round of the U.S. Open. Five cases of heat exhaustion forced Mall out of sport at 23.

Today's McMullen competition is scheduled for 10 a.m. The opening round of the 32-player singles draw and the 16-team doubles competition will be completed. The event continues with singles and doubles semifinals at 11 a.m. Saturday and finals at noon Sunday.

For information, call (727) 669-1919.

LEAGUE NEWS: The St. Pete Tennis Center evened its record to 1-1 in the Super 70 Men's 3.5 Doubles League with a 3-0 victory over Westin Innisbrook Resort. Collecting SPTC's points were Tom Avirett and Dennis McDaniel and Bob Allen and Oscar Steckman. Doug Eadie and Jim McDonald recorded a point by default.

In the Super Senior Men's 3.5 Doubles League, SPTC posted its third consecutive victory in a 3-0 decision over Largo Tennis Center. Winning in straight sets were Fred DeJohn and Jim Schroeder, McDaniel and Charles Smith and Dick Fletcher and James Kelly. Rounding out the eight-man squad are Charles Dorrel and William Wallace.

NET SHOTS: Results of the area Junior Winter Sectional Tournaments included Alexander Saltiel reaching the boys 10-and-under final at Royal Racquet Club, Danielle Collins playing to the girls 12 championship match at Seminole Lake Tennis Center, Kara Kucin and Rebecca Bodine making the 14 round of 16 at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club, Morgan Frank advancing to the 18 quarterfinals and consolation semifinals, George Navas doing the same in boys 18 in Tampa and Christina Liles becoming a girls 18 consolation finalist.

In Lakeland, Alexander Cercone advanced to the 16 consolation final.

PLAY FOR LOVE: The Racquet Club of St. Petersburg is the host for the Feb. 5 Sabal Trust Company Tennis Players Have Love round robin. The event will raise funds for C.A.R.E., which is helping victims of the recent tsunami. Men's and women's doubles in 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5-and-higher are offered. A $30 fee includes lunch, awards and an exhibition. For information, call 527-6553.

COMING UP: The sixth annual Rotary Golf and Tennis Challenge is Saturday at Treasure Bay. For information, call 360-6062.

[Last modified January 26, 2005, 00:13:15]