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Combo leagues prepare for sectionals

By NANCY MORGAN
Published January 10, 2007

This week, local adult and senior Combo Doubles League winners converge on Daytona Beach for the Sectional Combo Championships while locally, senior, super senior and super 70 doubles leagues begin competition.

There are six teams in the adult combo division and five in the senior qualified for sectionals. Last year, there were 38 women's and 27 men's teams that competed for state bragging rights at the sectional tournament.

This weekend, there will be 41 women's teams and 23 men's in the adult competition and 10 women's and seven men's in the senior.

Teams representing the area in the adult division include Countryside Country Club 6.5, Safety Harbor Spa 7.5 and St. Petersburg Country Club 8.5 among the women and Feather Sound Country Club 6.5 and McMullen Tennis Complex 7.5 and 8.5 among the men. Senior teams include Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club 6.5 and McMullen 7.5 in the women and Feather Sound 6.5 and St. Petersburg Tennis Center 7.5 men's squads.

Set to defend last year's sectional titles are senior teams McMullen 7.5 women, Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club 6.5 women and Feather Sound 6.5 men.

Competition begins Friday and concludes Sunday. Adult teams play at the Florida Tennis Center and seniors are at the Ormond Beach Tennis Center.

Entered in the local senior men's doubles league are two teams in 3.0, 11 in 3.5, seven in 4.0 and three in 4.5. In last weekend's opening matches, Pasco players Ira Kaufman and Malcolm Slive scored the Spa's only point in a 2-1 loss to Royal Racquet club in the 3.5 division.

Among the senior women's teams are four in 3.0, eight in 3.5, seven in 4.0 and two in 4.5.

Last weekend, Heritage Springs' Ellen Hellmers and Nancy Zelenevich in No. 1 and Kathy Dies and Joan Holland in No. 3 collected two points for the 2-1 win over Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club in the 3.5 senior women's division.

Judy Morris and Jode Eye collected Innisbrook's only point in a 2-1 loss to East Lake Woodlands in the 3.5 senior division.

In super senior men's action last week, Innisbrook's Jack Fornino and Jim Larmore posted a three-set win in No. 1 and Dick Willets and Joe Rauch won in two in No. 3 to give Innisbrook its opening-match win over Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club.

Fred DeJohn and Frank Ingram posted the Spa's only win in a 2-1 loss to Shipwatch Tennis Club in the Super 70 Doubles League.

ALSO THIS WEEKEND: Local clubs are hosting sectionals for 14-and-under singles divisions. Royal Racquet Club 727-799-3200 is the site for the boys and girls 10, Seminole Lake Tennis Academy (727-394-1733) boys 12, McMullen Tennis Complex (669-1919) girls 12, Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club (727-391-2205) girls 14. Cheval Country Club (813-948-2282) in Lutz is hosting the boys 14 competition.

NET SHOTS: Kosuke Hasegawa finished third in the Holiday Designated in Delray Beach last month. Hasegawa was the ninth seed in the boys 14 and under.

- Grace Korta (girls 10) and Paul Polaczyk (boys 18) played to their respective finals in the New Year's Super Series at Seminole Lake Tennis Academy.

- Amber Fahner won the girls 14 round robin in last weekend's Train Smart Junior Rookie contest. Second-seeded Daniel Golub reached the boys 12 final.

CORRECTION: The women's super senior 3.5 doubles team based at Innisbrook placed third in the state on the play of Marie Hanff, Shirl Ahrens, Bonny Boosales, Kathryn Fitzpatrick, Jocie Doucette, Anne Hammond, Joan Holland and the late Sue Luidens, team captain. A different division appeared in last week's column.

COMING UP: The fourth annual Tournament of Champions charity doubles is Jan. 19-21 at Royal Racquet Club. Call (727) 725-3681. ...St. Petersburg/Clearwater Adult League captains' meeting begins at 6 p.m. Jan. 30 at Feather Sound Country Club. ...Ultimate Tennis signups continue through Jan. 31. Visit www.ultimatetennis.com or call (727) 347-2522.

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

[Last modified January 9, 2007, 23:00:18]