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Region, area champ glad to be on court

By NANCY MORGAN
Published December 20, 2006

The Ultimate Tennis Fall League Championships were held at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club in Largo with nine women's and 12 men's Tampa Bay champions named.

Five women's and six men's regional winners were determined. Third-year league player Sissy Saunders was among the Tampa Bay and regional champions. The 4.0 titles were her first.

"With five brothers in my family, we were always in a sport of some kind," Saunders said, "but tennis was always my favorite. ...I played a little in high school. In 1974, Leto High had its first women's team and when I was a senior, I played No. 1."

After high school, the Florida native did not play again until seven years ago, when she gave up her private school teaching career to work part time in her husband's business.

"I'm so glad I started playing again and my friends have been so supportive," Saunders said. ""...I started out in the league at 3.5 and have been slowly working my way up the last few years. In 2004, I played on a USTA adult league 3.5 team that won regional and state and went on to nationals. We actually finished fourth in the nation. That's when I got bumped to 4.0."

Saunders also plays in the Interbay League out of the Tampa Tennis Complex and a night league based at Cheval Country Club. Against Heidi Milan of Lutz in the Tampa Bay final, the pair went three long sets with Saunders winning 6-2, 6-7, 7-5. In the regional final, Saunders won 7-5, 6-3.

This spring, Saunders plans to play in the 4.5-minus division.

Ultimate Tennis registers for its spring season through Jan. 31. Go to www.ultimatetennis.com or call 347-2522.

NET SHOTS: Joining Saunders in the Tampa Bay champions circle were Ali Peterson in women's 5.0, Martha Carvallo 4.5-minus, Sue Burroughs (4.0-minus), Lauren Patterson (3.0), Joao Sucupira (men's 5.5), Jim Blizzard (4.5), Mike Farrell (4.0-minus), Tim Walker (3.5), Sylvain Gauthier (3.5-minus), Tony Konjanovski (3.0) and Albert Canamero (2.5).

Like Saunders, Patterson, Blizzard, Walker and Canamero also collected regional titles.

- Among the doubles medalists in the Florida Senior Games in Fort Myers were Roy Nyren and Bill Huff in 55-59 doubles (gold); John Rensch and Ed Hamilton 65-69 (gold); Lou Pacioni and James Lucas 75-79 (silver) and John Cronin and Louis DeBee 80-84 (silver). Singles medalists included Roger Gentilhomme in 95-99 (gold) and Jean Nichols 65-69 (silver).

- Winners in this month's Treasure Bay Rookie event included Victoria Chavez in girls 10-under, Diana Valencia (12) and Robby Bastian (boys 16).

LEAGUE NEWS: Largo won the USTA adult 6.0 mixed doubles fall league. In the 7.0, a playoff between Largo, the night league winner, and Countryside Country Club, the Sunday league champ, resulted in Countryside winning 3-0. The Renaissance Vinoy won the 8.0 division.

COMING UP: Seminole Lake Tennis Academy hosts its New Year's Super Series beginning Dec. 29 for 18-and-under singles competitors. Call (727) 394-1733.

News may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, (727) 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Include phone number.

[Last modified December 20, 2006, 07:01:11]