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Summer's quite a smash for promising junior

By NANCY MORGAN
Published August 3, 2006

Becky Bodine has less than four years of junior competitive tennis under her belt, but the young teenager's game is on the rise.

In last month's North Florida Designated Tournament in Tallahassee, the girls 14-and-under No. 2 seed won four straight-set matches to reach the final with top seed Lindsay Cable of Reddick. Bodine then won 6-3, 6-3.

"It felt really good to finally win a designated," said Bodine, 13. "I'd been close before, but this is my first win. I think I'm recognizing my game better and playing the same every time."

In Bodine's third-round match against Rebekah Jenkins of Sarasota, Bodine avenged an earlier summer loss with a 6-1, 6-2 win. In the final, Bodine's win repaid a third-set loss from a year ago.

Last month, Bodine was invited to represent Florida and play in her second USTA Zone Team Championships against coed teams representing USTA sections Northern California, Pacific Northwest, Texas and Southwest.

"That was a good experience, especially playing on the same team with players you normally play against," Bodine said. "I played the No. 1 position for one of Florida's three teams. I liked it, but I also like the individual competition."

This week, Bodine caps off her summer schedule when she travels to Peachtree, Ga., to compete in the USTA National Hard Court Championships Aug. 5-12.

Earlier this summer, Bodine placed sixth in the girls 14 in a USTA National Open Championships in College Park, Md.

Bodine started tennis at 6, but quit after a month. When her older brother, Luke, was practicing, she became intrigued again with the game and hasn't stopped playing since she was 10 ¹/₂.

"I played a bunch of tournaments in the 10s and even though I only had a half year, I got to No. 2," Bodine said. "Once I got back out on the court, I loved it."

Bodine describes her style of play as that of an aggressive all-court player, who is working on adding spin to her game. Once a defensive player, Bodine has transitioned herself into an offensive competitor.

Bodine trains with Nathan Walker in Palm Harbor and Steve Smith in Tampa, where she strives for as much match play as possible. Frequent hitting with her mom, Sharon, round out her practice regime.

At this point, Bodine is more focused on experience gained from competition than on computer rankings. Concern with rankings, Bodine said, can wait until she's in the 16 or 18 divisions when college coaches begin watching.

As much as Bodine likes tennis, she values education and her friends, as well as enjoys gardening and playing with four adult dogs and six puppies. At Carwise Middle School, Bodine is in the gifted and MEGESS programs.

"I plan to keep up my education, practice hard and stay injury free," Bodine said. "I'd love to go to a Division I school, like Stanford, Florida or Georgia, then want to take a try at the WTA.

"Whatever I end up doing - playing, teaching, whatever - I know it will be within tennis."

NET SHOTS: Florida's Intersectional Team finished second in the USTA Boys and Girls 16-and-under Team Championships in Shreveport, La., last month.

Among the four girls and four boys competing were Alexander Cercone, Lindsay Dvorak and Joel Samaha. Local teaching professional Page Buck coached the squad.

Placing second were Julia Teytelbaum in the girls 14 and Garrett Betsarakis in boys 18.

- Last month in Delray Beach, Collins won the USTA National Clay Court Championship in the girls 12 singles and placed third in doubles with Jarett Fisher of Illinois.

- Participating in last month's Team Florida Challenge, a boys and girls team singles and doubles in the 14-and-under age division contest, were Macey Cook, Shaunte Southern, Edward Corty and Ricky Szymanski. Szymanski played on the five-player winning team.

- Emily Dvorak, Kara Kucin, Julia Jones, Anthony Barrancotto and Betsarakis joined Bodine at the USTA Zone Team Championships in Naples last month. Florida competed in 14-and-under team singles, doubles and mixed.

- David Teytelbaum defended his top seeding to win last month's 12 singles title in the Summer Classic Too at Safety Harbor Spa. His sister, Julia, upset the No. 1 seed in a semifinal to go on and win the girls 14 title.

REC WORKSHOP: The St. Petersburg Tennis Center is the host site for the 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 19 USTA Florida Recreational Coach Workshop. The workshop is one of more than 180 being held throughout the nation.

Teachers, coaches and anyone interested in recreational tennis are invited to attend this interactive, on-court training. Cost is $25 and includes registration, training materials, lesson plans, sample equipment and lunch.

To register, contact site director Julie Panton (744-3699) or e-mail (julikens@verizon.net) or call SPTC (823-2225).

LEAGUE NEWS: Royal Racquet Club clinched the local 8.0 adult mixed doubles league title with its 3-0 win over the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg last month. Royal posted a 6-2 record, McMullen was 5-3 and Racquet Club 1-7.

Ten playing levels range from those that include Division I players to 3.0-plus. Cost is $30 per player.

For more details, call (813) 289-7865 or go to www.princetennisleague.com.

COMING UP: Royal Racquet Club hosts the Florida State Closed Mixed Doubles Championships and the Summer Classic Designated in men's and women's singles beginning Aug. 12. Call 799-3200. ...Hot, Hot, Hot Rookie Tournament for juniors is Aug. 12-13 at Southwest Complex in Largo. Call 518-3125 or 403-8588. ...East Lake Summer Local Jr. Championships are Aug. 12-14 at East Lake Woodlands. Call 785-2212.

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.

RESULTS:

Summer Classic Too - July 21-22 final results

Girls. 18-and-under: Victoria Bell, Tampa d. Fernanda Ospina, Oldsmar 5-7,6-2,6-2; consolation: Julianne Gruber, Palm Harbor. 16: 1 Christina Bell, Tampa d. Gabby Houck, Palm Harbor 6-4,6-3; consolation: Ali Steiner, Trilby. 14: Julia Teytelbaum, Belleair d. Danielle Nickerson, Treasure Island 6-7(5),7-5,6-3; consolation: Laura Ospina, Oldsmar. 12: Hannah Drayton, PA d. Vanessa William, Brooksville 7-5,6-2,6-3; consolation: Kathryn Komarnicki, Clearawter.10: (1) Katherine Geshel, Lutz d. Rachel Rohrabacher, Tampa 6-1,6-2; consolation: (2) Gabrielle Rodriguez, Tampa.

Boys. 18: Tyler Brown, Wesley Chapel d. (1) Evgeniy Belov, Weslay Chapel 6-3,6-2; consolation: Tarreq Noori, Dunedin. 16: Heyward Drayton, PA d. Tim Berg, Lakewood Ranch 6-3,6-4; consolation: Joey Conti, Tampa. 14: James Raffin, Grand Garden d. (1) Luke Burton, St. Petersburg 6-0,6-1; consolation: Jorge Rodriguez, Tampa. 12: (1) David Teytelbaum, Belleair d. Zachary Mearsheimer, Naples 6-0,6-1; consolation: Nicholas Litsky, Tampa. 10: Nicholas Miljus, Tampa d. Rex Miljus, Tampa 7-5,6-4; consolation: Garrett Napolitano, Weeki Wachee.

Tampa Bay Junior Championships -July 29-31 final results at Tampa Tennis Complex

Girls. 18-and-under: (4) Danielle Collins, St. Petersburg d. (1) Cammie Gray, Shalimar 7-6(8),6-1; consolation: Ashley Hood, St. Petersburg. 16: (2) Christina Bell, Tampa d. (1) Meghan Sullivan, Tampa 6-3,6-3; consolation: (3) Mabry Fisher, Tampa. 14: (1) Morgan Nolan, Tampa d. Julia Teytelbaum, Belleair 1-6,7-6(2),6-2; consolation: (4) Bianca Roberts, Tampa. 12: (1) Kristin Pearson, Lutz d. Aleksandra Durzynska, Warsaw 6-2,3-6,6-4; consolation: (2) Hannah Drayton, PA. 10: (2) Katherine Geshel, Lutz d. (1) Grace Korta, Odessa 6-3,7-6(1); consolation: Rachel Rohrabacher, Tampa.

Boys. 18: (1) Paul Polarczyk, Wesley Chapel d. Garrett Betsarakis, St. Petersburg withdrew injury; consolation: Michael Canencia, Tampa. 16: (1) Lionel Kogan, Tampa d. Heyward Drayton, PA 4-6,7-5,7-5; consolation: Rusty Backstrom, Tampa. 14: (1) Brian Kowalski, Tampa d. (3) Oscar Eppley, Wesley Chapel 7-6(5),6-1; consolation: Kyle Madill, Plant City. 12: (2) David Teytelbaum, Belleair d. (3) Eric Fitz-Randolph, Tampa 7-6(5),4-6,6-2; consolation: Raymond King, Tampa. 10 round robin: 1. Joseph Fiser, Tampa.

[Last modified August 3, 2006, 08:57:31]