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Adult tennis league begins in Pinellas

By NANCY MORGAN
Published April 13, 2006

The St. Petersburg-Clearwater Adult Tennis League kicked off this month for 38 women's and 28 men's teams.

In the women's competition are two teams in 2.5, 13 divided into three flights in 3.0, eight in two flights in 4.0, two in 4.5 and two more in 5.0.

On the men's side are five teams in 3.0, 12 in two flights in 3.5, eight in 4.0 and three in 4.5.

"We've had a comeback of sorts in the 4.0," said men's coordinator Clark Higgs, "but more or less at the expense of the 4.5 division with some of those players rated at 4.0 this year. There has been an increase in the 3.0. It's obvious that the captains are the backbone of the league and they're the ones that make it work.

"As far as the ratings, I think we're all getting accustomed to the system and see now that it's not as easy to fudge a self-rating. We all want to play good matches, but no one wants to get spanked every Saturday."

The McMullen men's 4.5 team opened its season with a 3-2 win over Seminole Lake on three-set wins in singles by Steven Reilly and Steve Talner and a 6-3, 6-4 win in No. 3 doubles by Tony Crouch and Ron Massey. Saturday, McMullen plays Royal Racquet Club.

According to McMullen captain Massey, the race will be tight among the three teams.

"All three teams are competitive and any one could win and advance to the next level," Massey said.

For the past 11 years, Carol Levin has been the women's coordinator and has shared some of the responsibilities with Ruth Ann Ott the past four.

"Several years ago, I realized it was a very hard job doing it alone and not having anyone to bounce things off," Levin said. "When I approached Ruth Ann, she agreed and it's worked out beautifully. We cover for each other, especially during playoff time."

Levin credits the implementation of Tennis Link, where captains and players register and submit team results online, with reducing coordinators' workload while the initial scheduling process remains the most challenging.

Cynthia Medvic is a first-year league player and a first-time captain of the East Lake Woodlands 3.0 team that won its opening match Saturday with a 3-2 score over the Renaissance Vinoy.

Collecting wins for East Lake were Kirsten Willis and Debra Chadwick in No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively, and Cynthia Sloyer and Cathi Macy in No. 1 doubles.

"I think the league is terrific and it opens the opportunity to play for those that can't play during the week," Medvic said. "On our team, we have players with young families or those who are working and can't play in the weekly leagues."

Jill Faw, first-time captain in the women's 3.5 division, is pleased with her McMullen Tennis Complex team's first two wins of the season, including Saturday's 4-1 score over Royal Racquet Club.

Angela Reagan and Michelle Martinez won singles and were joined by Faw and Charlotte Tao in No. 2 doubles and Paula Sever and DeDe Angelilis in No. 3.

"I had a good role model on how to lead a team in Barb Sommer as captain in Racqueteers and then copied Julie Anderson's idea of putting together a folder of information for the team," Faw said.

"We have good team support, with everyone willing to give a little if needed. With 14 players on the team, we'll all need to give some to get everyone in and be competitive, too."

Matches continue through the beginning of June with local winners advancing to the Central Regional Championships in Daytona Beach July 14-16.

MORE LEAGUE NEWS: In this month's USTA Florida Super 70 State Championships, Shipwatch Tennis Club placed third in the men's 3.5 division and Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club was fifth in 3.5 women.

SPORT LOSES FRIEND: Christopher Gifford, 94, died March 10 in Tallahassee.

Mr. Gifford, a retired major in the U.S. Army, lived on Clearwater Beach until 2000 and was a well-known player at the McMullen Tennis Complex and a strong advocate of the former Clearwater Tennis Club.

While attending Duke University, Mr. Gifford was a member of the varsity tennis team. He played tennis into his 90s and was a two-time gold medalist in the U.S. Senior Olympics.

NET SHOTS: Kirsten Willis finished second in the 3.0 NTRP singles competition in last month's Chalmers Wealth Advisors Spring Classic. Willis teamed with Cathi Macy to win the 3.0 doubles.

In last month's Florida Cup, a Davis Cup-style format with age divisions ranging from 35-and-over to 80, the West team of players won their third consecutive title over the East.

Among the local players were Jeff Davis and Mark Wagner (45), Marc Mazo and Alex Deeb (55), Dick Crawford (70) and Bob Meyerdierks and Jim Mackey (80).

Among the winners in last weekend's Safety Harbor Spring Classic were Debbie Hobbs (women's 45), Ria Graham (55), Adrian Pagani (men's open), Will Roeper (65) and Juan Segovia (35).

Runnerups included Nancy Morgan (women's 55), Andres Gonzalez (men's open), Chip Gamble (65), Gerry Barna (55), Dana Dunham (45), and Mark Taylor 35).

Franz Henikl won the 55 consolation.

Collecting singles wins in this month's Clearwater Spring Classic were Robyn Perry (girls 10-and-under), top seed Alexandra Kitchen (12), Dan Stefan (boys 10) and Robert Perry (12).

Anastasia Nefedova recorded a consolation win in the girls 12.

Among singles winners in this month's East Lake Spring Junior Rookie were top seed Anastasha Worlds (girls 10), Sidney Howard (12), Courtney Howard (14), Sarah Menken (16) and Erik Everett (boys 10). Runnerups included Lauren Eschenroeder (girls 14), Mariana Gerard, Jacob Grigsby (boys 10) and Carl Gavine (18).

Collecting consolation wins were Shannon Wagner in the girls 10, Jennifer Healy (16), Tom Kelly (boys 10) and Matt Healy (14).

MARK THE DATE: A Tennis Block Party scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13 at the McMullen Tennis Complex is free to all in Pinellas County.

The party is a joint effort by the local USPTA-certified teaching professionals, the Suncoast Tennis Foundation and Clearwater.

Free games and activities planned for all ages, along with prizes and equipment demos, instruction, NTRP ratings and information on programs and leagues.

Participants 18-and-over are eligible to win a trip to the 2007 U.S. Open. For information,go to www.ourtennis.net

COMING UP: The Suncoast Tennis Singles invites single players to participate in its Sunday tennis/social activities. Contact Pam Bascio at ace_angel_inc@hotmail.com ... The SPTC Junior Easter Classic begins Saturday at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Call 823-2225.

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 April 13, 2006, 00:52:17]