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Regional action kicks off

By NANCY MORGAN
Published July 12, 2006

Local champions in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Adult Tennis League leave this week for the USTA Florida Central, West Regional Championships in Daytona Beach.

Beginning Friday, five women's and four men's teams will battle teams representing Tampa, Orlando, Polk County and Space Coast in round-robin competition with hopes of advancing to August's state tournament.

Competing among the women will be Royal Racquet Club 4.5, McMullen 4.0, Countryside Country Club 3.5 and 3.0 and Feather Sound Country Club 2.5. Men's teams include Seminole Lake Tennis Academy 4.5, McMullen 4.0, Shipwatch Tennis Club 3.5 and Countryside 3.0.

Feather Sound 2.5 was unbeaten in its division and includes captain Cecelia Ford, Nathalie Gordon, Deborah Gould, Cherra Wammock, Sarah Caffee, Pamela Suetholtz, Deborah Tucker, Arabela Stock and Ivy Vincent.

"We were all new to team play and were actually surprised we were unbeaten in the league," Ford said after her team won its division. "

Feather Sound faces three opponents at regionals, first playing Polk County, then Space Coast and finally Daytona Beach.

Royal Racquet's 4.5 captain Donna Roberts said her team was tested in the local league and looks for success at regionals and more strength in doubles.

Roberts is joined by Linda Thomson, Judi Morris, Debbie Hobbs, Nancy Boyce, Julie McGuire, Stephanie Ladell, B.J. Stewart, Barbara Soto, Janet Poort, Judith Sly, Kimberly Johnson, Cathy Lenhardt, Donna Coddington, Lisa Freeman and Heather Comfort.

McMullen's 4.0 squad finished first in their division and won a four-team round robin to qualify for regionals.

Playing singles were Anne Pulley, Marion Murch, Nancy Morgan, Ria Graham, Dee Dolson, Lolita Shull, Laura Hungiville and Tammy Conrad. Rounding out the team are Hank Skoczen, Michele Pennie, Debbie Zillig, Sharon Carlile, Carol Levin and Sandy Lamy.

Countryside's 3.5 team was unbeaten in its 11-team division. Team captain Catherine Kelly says the players' willingness to work with each other was a key factor in their success.

Jo Szeto, Dina Glover, Kassie Ruby, Debbie Golomb, Mei Berry and Barbara Brown-Emery played most of the singles. Rounding out the squad are Kim Rega, Lauren Coogan, Jennifer Bell, Lisa Harris, Tracey Sullivan, Mary Beth Whiteleather, Minnie Roth, Gigi Mashburn, Lea Avery, Mary Guthrie and Missy Hayslett.

This will be Countryside 3.0's third trip to regionals. Last year, the team missed advancing by a single point. Captain Lisa Pratt hopes the 11-player squad will have different results this year.

Joining Pratt are Joyce Hall, Kim Rega, Jil Colen, Gillian Irving, Pam Collins, Mary Guthrie, Lea Avery, Rachel Mayhew, Catherine Kelly and Mona Lee.

Mike Hooper, captain of the Seminole 4.5, is taking 10 players to regionals. Hooper, Chris Rivera, Craig Hajdich and Marvin Wilhite will play most of the singles, said Hooper. Doubles teams will be a mix of Mark Curran, Steve Baccich, Rick Ebelke, Bill McMahon, Rick Workman, Craig Gordon and Scot Monette.

"Many on our team are playing their first year in the 4.5 level, but I think we have a good shot of advancing to the next round," Hooper said.

"I don't know much about the other teams, other than Tampa, but I think we'll be ready to give it a good shot."

Dave Heeder, non-playing captain of the McMullen 4.0 team, likes the squad's chances at regionals. Players include Steve Rosenkranz, Lance Cohen, Ron Bedlack, Franz Henikl, Todd Legault, Jeff Mahnke, Kevin Hayslett, Greg Burke, Clark Higgs, Mike Carrigan, Michael Juno, John Beda, Kenneth Emery and Reinaldo Valor.

Shipwatch qualified for regionals when it defeated McMullen in a 3.5 playoff. Players include captain Joe Bulone, John Gelestor, Larry Atkinson, John Todia, Al Smith, John Main, Eddie Earls, Joe Campbell, Ted Wells, Fred Glenn, Tom Rinehart, John Dodson, Stephen Greenberg, Les Spang and James Schroeder.

Countryside 3.0 lost just once all season among five teams. Players include captain Frank Blainey, Art Esterbrook, Ed Ostiguy, Blake Rahman, Kurt Frahn, Justin Larue, Dmitry Grebenev, Tim Ingram, Brian Spiegel, David Connell, Bert Tucker, Marty Allsup, Werner Strange and Patrick Nehls.

Teams compete Friday-Monday at the Florida Tennis Center.

NET SHOTS: Marc Mazo of Feather Sound Country Club was among the captains named by USTA Florida for its Intersectional Team competition this fall. Maza will captain the 55-and-older age division. Alex Deeb will be among the players on the team, as will Peter Crewe in the 75.

- Christina Liles teamed with Ana Mung of New Jersey to reach the girls 18-and-under doubles in the USTA National Open Championships in Tallahassee. Morgan Frank was third in singles.

- Dan Stefan teamed with Housam El-Naamani of Wesley Chapel to win the boys 12 doubles in last weekend's July Spectacular Super Series at Seminole Lake Tennis Academy. Stefan and El-Naamani beat Clearwater's Brendan East and Lutz's Michael Fears 8-2. Kelly Taylor played with Bradenton's Ashley Bongart to beat sisters Jayla and Jade Smith in the girls 10 doubles. Robert Dvorak and Bradenton's Trey Strobel were runnersup in the boys 14.

Finalists in singles action included Taylor in girls 10, Andrea Guerra 12 and Alexander Saltiel boys 12.

- Danielle Collins won the girls 18 and Aaron Ellison the boys 16 in last weekend's Summer Super Series at Royal Racquet Club. Ellison teamed with Joseph Elsakr of Port Orange to collect the 16 doubles.

- Earlier this month, Collins won the girls 18 singles and Natalie Boruk the 14 in the Temple Terrace Junior Summer Bash. Carolina Barnett was a finalist in the girls 12, as was Ricky Szymanski in the boys 14.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified July 11, 2006, 23:00:33]