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Tennis

St. Petersburg sisters sharing bond on court

By NANCY MORGAN
Published September 21, 2005

Jasmyne Smith, 16, always wanted to play tennis and at 10 she participated in her father's summer sports camp in St. Petersburg. Four years ago, Jasmyne's twin sisters Jayla and Jade took up the sport too.

Last weekend, all three sisters competed in the Clearwater Fall Championships, a state-sanctioned singles tournament. Jasmyne won the girls 18-and-under consolation draw and Jayla won the 10. Jade played two matches in the 12.

"I like playing singles and try to play aggressively and change the pace of the ball," Jasmyne said. "I like the one-on-one competition and being able to work independently. I like doubles, too, especially after playing on the St. Petersburg High team last year as a freshman. Someday, it would be nice to play on a college team."

Jasmyne tried gymnastics, dance and cheerleading before focusing on tennis. Now, the teenager practices at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center with Shikha Singh and Curtis Cook and at Lake Vista with Cook.

"The first tournament I went in I was about 12 and I was so nervous," Jasmyne said, "and didn't really know what to expect. I learned though, and practiced the shots I needed to have to compete. Now, when I'm not in a tournament, I practice on my game."

Jayla and Jade, 9, have competed the past couple of years and especially like traveling to tournaments and meeting new people through competition. While Jayla likes to come to the net, Jade prefers playing from the baseline and using her power.

"I try to learn something from the tournaments I play in," Jade said. "A lot of times, I play in the 12s to get more competition. First time I went in a tournament, I was nervous, but then I was all right. I like to compete."

Jayla, the younger twin by seven minutes, said the two began playing tennis when their dance classes were interrupted and they searched for another sport.

"We also play the piano, were involved in Girl Scouts and just wanted something different," Jayla said. "With tennis, you get to meet a lot of different people and go to different clubs. I like that."

Over the summer, the Smith sisters played in the American Tennis Association Midtac Tournament in Indianapolis. Jade was runnerup in the 10s. In July, the family went to Daytona Beach for the ATA National Championships.

"We try to limit tournaments to every other month for the girls," said their mother, Janice Smith. "We want to kind of take it slow with the tournaments and spend time practicing their game."

Tennis has become a family sport for the Smith family. The girls are teaching their mother to play and father Joe plays when time permits. Smith is a 23-year police officer for St. Petersburg and, in the summer, directs a National Youth Sports Program for up to 400 children at Eckerd College.

NET SHOTS: Area players captured five titles in last weekend's USA Tennis Florida State Doubles Championships at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach.

Winning in girls were Alex Cercone and Keri Frankenberger in 16 and under and Emily Dvorak with Julianne Gruber in the 12. Alexander Saltiel teamed with Baker Newman to win the 10 boys. Mixed doubles champions included Danielle Collins and Spencer Newman (12) and Lindsay Dvorak and Brennan Boyajian (16).

Finishing third in the girls 16 was Lindsay Dvorak and Chole Smith, fourth in 18 mixed were Nicholas Berning and Natalie Gorham and fourth in boys 12 were Robert Dvorak and Jackson Murphy.

Edward Corty and Kyle Hoffman collected the boys 12 consolation title.

Matthew Fox in men's 4.5 singles and Alan Turnquist in 3.5 were finalists in last weekend's East Lake Woodlands Fall NTRP.

Among the winners in last weekend's Clearwater Fall Championship were Macey Cook (girls 14), Kaylen Mandry (10) and Jorge Guerra (boys 16). Finalists included Amy Lowther (girls 12) and Shaunte Southern (14).

At last weekend's SPTC Adult Classic Championships, Juan Segovia (men's 35 and over), Marc Mazo (55), Don Mathias (65) and William Gatlin (75) were among the winners. Bill Christensen was second in the 55. Consolation winners included Todd Stuart (35), Noi Saypharath (45), Franz Henikl (55) and Chip Gamble (65). Mathias and William Herring were second in 65 doubles.

At Beach to Bay Tennis at St. Petersburg Beach, Denise Bray was the mixed doubles point winner in this month's round robin. Izzy Arango was second and tied for third were Mukesh Shah and Jordan Balcer.

Teaching professional Jack Carey Jr. directed the event for 18 players.

LEAGUE NEWS: Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club got off to a winning start in the 7.0 Adult Mixed Doubles League, 3-0 over Innisbrook.

The Renaissance Vinoy, Shipwatch Tennis Club and Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club each won in the 8.0. There are eight teams at the 7.0 level and eight more in the 8.0.

Winners in last week's Junior Tennis League were Michael Tuthill, Nick Atkins and Thomas Sutton in 14 and under and Logan Elder and Kyle Bulleit in the 12.

Treasure Bay was unbeaten in the 3.5-4.0 summer session of the South Pinellas Doubles League. Joining captain Gillian McDonnell were Sue Best, Lin Riffe, Charlene Ervin, Cathy Meyer, Louise Strong and Gay Womack.

In the Combo Senior Women League's second week in 7.5, Shipwatch earned its second win, 2-1 over SH Spa, and Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club its first, 2-1 over East Lake. Feather Sound opened in the 6.5 with a 2-1 victory over Treasure Island. In all, there are five teams in the 7.5 and three at 6.5.

Twelve teams began in the Combo Senior Men League last week - five at 6.5, four at 7.5 and three at 8.5. Feather Sound and Countryside Country Club won in the 6.5, as did the Racquet Club and East Lake in 7.5.

COMING UP: Westin Innisbrook Resort offers a Junior Singles Tournament on Saturday. Call Jim Hord, 942-5241. ... The Humane Society of Pinellas Charity Tennis Tournament is Sept. 28-Oct. 2 at Royal Racquet Club. Call tournament director Donna Coddington, 799-3200. ... The Racquet Club hosts its Junior Championships Oct. 1-3. Call the club, 527-6553.

- 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 September 21, 2005, 00:24:18]