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Award stuns active SPTC member

By NANCY MORGAN
Published November 8, 2006

Elisabeth "Lis" Zinn has never been one to sit back and wait for things to happen. The 35-year St. Petersburg resident has always been among the first to action.

Last weekend, Zinn was recognized for her involvement at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center with the Linwood Lewallen Sportsmanship Award.

"I was blown away and speechless," Zinn said. "I couldn't believe it. As Jay Sokolovsky was reading the bio, once he said the person was captain of Satellite, I realized he was talking about me. I had no idea whatsoever."

Zinn played about 30 years ago, but was involved in other activities until three years ago. Then her son Mike, who played at South Alabama, mentioned to center member Gayle Woodley that his mom used to play. Woodley and Zinn connected and shortly after Zinn was SPTC's co-captain in the Satellite Ladies Doubles League.

"I'm not a bystander, that's for sure," Zinn said. "Having spent 20 years in the military - my husband was in the Air Force - you learn to pitch in wherever and whenever needed. I also enjoy volunteering, being with other people and helping out."

"... Now, I'm bringing our grandson Trevor to the center twice a week for training. He's 16 and on the Northeast High team."

Zinn's first play at SPTC was embarassing, she said, but after some lessons with teaching pro Skikha Singh, she became more comfortable on the court.

"Lis has been here at the center three years and she immediately got involved," SPTC tennis director Jackie Keller said. "She volunteered from Day 1 for whatever was needed."

In addition to Zinn's award was a day filled with events, starting with a tennis mixer for juniors, members and pros. Singh organized an exhibition match with top junior player Danielle Collins, junior Rohit Nevalkar and SPTC teaching pro Marton Balla. There was a tribute to Sally Holley, who died this year at 89. Holley was one of the original members of the center.

NET SHOTS: Alexander Saltiel and Baker Newman won the boys 12-and-under doubles in last month's USTA State Doubles Championships in Daytona Beach.

Saltiel teamed with Tampa's Blair Martin to finish second in the mixed 12. Other state finalists were Emily Dvorak and Dominic Cotrone of Bradenton in the mixed 14. Dvorak was a finialist in the girls 14 with Julie Sabacinski.

Lindsay Dvorak and Brennan Boyajian of Weston were second in the 18 mixed.

- The top three in last month's Charity Pro/Am at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club were Adrian Pagani and Troy Holland, Marq Foster and Jon Bean and Andres Molina and Randy Meisner. The event raised $35,000 for All Children's Hospital.

- Winners in last month's Haunted Rookie Tournament included Alexis Franco in girls 10, Jessica Stephens 12, Julian Haerle boys 10 and Zev Mandelker 14.

- Julia Sikorski in the girls 14 and Tahira Green in 10 were finalists in the Seminole Lake Tennis Academy Junior Octoberfest.

MEETING: Captains for men's and women's senior, super senior and super 70 doubles leagues, senior mixed doubles and the women's 6.5 evening combo leagues should meet with league coordinators Nov. 15 at Feather Sound Country Club The social begins at 6 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

COMING UP: The St. Petersburg Tennis Center hosts the Pete Wolfberg beginning Saturday. Call the center, 823-2225, today to enter the junior singles contest. ... The Temple Terrace Adult Winter Classic is this weekend. Call Manny Mariani, 813 989-7178, to enter the men's and women's open, 30-and-over, 40 and 50 divisions.

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 November 7, 2006, 20:39:09]