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Tennis

Area will be represented in state event

By NANCY MORGAN
Published July 21, 2005

Three district teams emerged as winners in last weekend's USA League Tennis West Regional Adult Championships in Naples.

The champs secured berths in the USA Tennis Florida State Tournament, Aug. 11-14 at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach. Those winners advance to nationals.

Phil Green Tennis Academy, based at Safety Harbor Spa, claimed the 4.0 women's regional title with a 3-1 record, and Royal Racquet Club of Clearwater won the 4.5 crown. Seminole Lake Tennis Center posted a 4-0 mark in 4.0 men's competition.

Countryside Country Club was edged out of first in women's 2.5 play, and PGTA was denied in 4.5 men's action.

Finishing third were the St. Petersburg Country Club 2.5 women and Feather Sound Country Club 3.0 men and 3.5 women.

PGTA's champions claimed all five victories in their first two matches but fell 3-2 to Fort Myers before recovering. With a match remaining against Naples, captain Marlene Flament thought PGTA's fate was all but determined.

"Usually, when you lose, you're pretty much out of it, which really disappointed us," Flament said.

"We had underestimated Fort Myers, (which has) been historically weak, and that cost us," she said. "Our team has a lot of heart, and we pulled back, had some luck and beat Naples 5-0 in our final." Fort Myers lost to Naples and Apollo Beach, finishing 2-2 and giving PGTA first place. Anne Pulley and May Laraya defended the singles slots for Phil Green Tennis Academy, combining for a 7-1 mark. The doubles squads in the four matches consisted of Marion Murch and Michele Pennie, Betty Johnson and Hank Skoczen, Tammy Conrad and Ria Graham and Skoczen and Nancy Klibanoff.

Rounding out the team are Carol Levin, Beth Seith, Sharon Carlile and Lolita Shull.

Royal Racquet captain Donna Roberts knew her 4.5 squad had the strength to win at regionals. "We beat Naples 3-2, thanks to Lisa Freeman and Joan Simmons in singles and Janet ( Eschenroeder) and Jane ( Robinson) in doubles, who all pulled out third-set tie-breakers," Roberts said.

Royal Racquet lost 3-2 to Fort Myers but bounced back by defeating Tampa and Sarasota 3-2. Royal Racquet (3-1) edged Fort Myers (3-1) for the championship on individual wins, with 11 for Royal compared to Fort Myers' 10.

"We had some great singles play, and our doubles came together," Roberts said. "We don't really have definitive combinations, but we did the best job we could.

"The competition was good, and there were definitely no runaways. We're excited to go to state." Also playing singles were Solvi Szawranskyji and Julie McGuire. Splitting doubles duties were Nancy Boyce, Bonnie Resmondo, Linda Thomson and Billie Stewart.

Seminole Lake Tennis Center captured its third consecutive state berth by defeating its first two opponents 3-2 and the next two 4-1.

Non-playing captain Red McGarry divided the positions for eight singles matches among Brian Cooper, Mark Curran, Jeffrey Mars, Chris Rivera and Doug Haskitt, with Rivera playing three times and Mars twice.

"That first match with Fort Myers was critical for us," McGarry said. "We lost both singles, then all three doubles came through. Rain affected the playing schedule quite a bit. We played Tampa early Saturday and won 3-2, then took on unbeaten Naples."

After a 4-1 decision over Naples, Seminole Lake regrouped to play its last match Sunday. "I did the math and saw that with our 3-0 record and 10 individual wins, we only needed to win one match against Sarasota to finish first," McGarry said.

Seminole collected four wins against Sarasota to claim the title.

Competing in doubles for Seminole Lake were Jon Bean, Eric Alvarado, Steve Crivello, Kevin Hayslett, Jason Lewis, Rivera, Curran, Cooper and Mike Shapiro. Rounding out the squad are Jim McCook, Larry Daum, Harold Kligman, Bill McMahon and Dean Bryan.

LEAGUE NEWS: In the USA Combo Adult Women's League, Shipwatch Tennis Club raised its record to 6-1 with a 2-1 win over Westin Innisbrook Resort in the 7.5 division. Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club (5-2) defeated East Lake Woodlands 2-1.

Treasure Island leads the three-team 8.5 Combo League with a 3-2 mark after its 2-1 decision against Shipwatch last week. In the men's Combo League, Largo Tennis Center collected its second win in the 6.5 class, as did Shipwatch I in 7.5 North and Treasure Bay in 7.5 South.

Royal Racquet Club-Feder captured its second straight 8.0 adult mixed District 12 crown with a 2-1 victory over PGTA earlier this month. The champs were sparked by Barbara Brutus and Jon Bloom in the No. 1 position and Mechy Wright and Troy Felland at No. 3. Rounding out the team are Linda Thomson, Deb McCleery, Donna Szazynski-Coddington, Barbara Soto, Missi and Kevin Hayslett, John McConnell, Josh Magidson, Ron Damouni and captain Bob Feder. Royal Racquet advances to sectionals in October, along with Countryside Country Club 6.5 and McMullen 9.0.

NET SHOTS: Jennifer Wall reached the girls 16 final in the Hunter's Green Rookie 2 Tournament last weekend in Tampa.

Kimberly Herrock defended the girls 10 top seed with a two-set final victory in last weekend's Treasure Island Junior Championships. Others defending spots were Jerica Coley (14) and Jorge Guerra (boys 16). Agatha Ambrozy was a girls 12 finalist. David Teytelbaum (boys 10) and Brett Apter (18) reached championship matches. Among the consolation winners were Adam Ambrozy (boys 10) and Greg LeCompte (18).

Eric Watson claimed the men's 4.0 singles title in last weekend's Countryside Summer NTRP Tournament. Other winners were Kelly Wilhite (3.0 women's) and her husband, Marvin (5.0).

DID YOU KNOW? A player may lose a point if talking while the ball is in action.

According to The Code, a player's guide in unofficiated matches, a player shall not talk while the ball is moving toward an opponent's side of the court. If the player's talking interferes with an opponent's ability to play the ball, the player loses the point.

For example, a player hits a weak lob and calls out to his partner to get back. If the shout was loud enough to distract the opponent, the opponent may claim the point. If, however, the opponent chooses to hit the lob and misses it, the opponent loses the point because the opponent didn't make a timely claim of the hindrance.

COMING UP: Temple Terrace Tennis Center has its Adult Summer Bash this weekend for singles players in open, 30-and-over, 40 and 50 age divisions. For information, call Manny Mariani, (813) 989-7178. ... Phil Green Tennis Academy will play host to Summer Classic Too this weekend at Safety Harbor Spa. Boys and girls singles in 18, 16, 14, 12 and 10 age classes are offered. Call Al Virgus, 724-7729.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 796-5559; e-mailed to namorgan46@msn.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified July 21, 2005, 00:56:18]