Plant City girls break through

By THOMAS SIMONETTI
Published April 20, 2005

TAMPA - Plant City's boys narrowly lost the district title at the University of South Florida, while the girls pulled out an unlikely win.

The time between district titles was so extensive that coach Gary Brady could not remember the last time the girls won. This is the first title in his eight years as coach. Boys counterpart Dale Rice has been coaching at the school 20 years and also couldn't remember the girls winning a title.

"This year has been an incredible year," Brady said. "No one considered us a threat. We were underdogs the whole way."

It came down to the final match, with Plant City (13 points) edging Lakeland (12) thanks to the No. 2 doubles team of Rachel Sperry and Staci Watson, who beat Gaither's Kelly Sincich and Carolina Aldama 6-1, 6-0.

Durant and Gaither tied for third with eight points.

Plant City's (10-1) other individual title came from Ariana Gonzales at the No. 5 singles spot.

"We grinded it out and won by one point against a team that, head to head, is probably better than us," Brady said.

Durant No. 1 Alyssa Young advanced to state with a 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) win over Audrey Campbell of Lakeland.

Plant City's boys will send two players to the state tournament but missed the region tournament by two points, falling short of champion Lakeland (15).

No. 1 seed Clay Bavinger defeated Durant's Brian Walsh 6-0, 3-6, 6-3 to advance to the state tournament and also advanced in doubles with Kyle Eason. Bavinger and Eason defeated Bloomingdale 6-0, 6-1 to win the No. 1 doubles title.

Lakeland won at the No. 3, 4 and 5 singles spots and No. 2 doubles to take the team title.

[Last modified April 20, 2005, 02:56:36]