Ravens rebound, place second

Day 2 brings fewer nerves, more resolve for runnerup Alonso.

By SCOTT PURKS
Published April 27, 2007

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - Alonso's second day at the Class 4A tournament was perfect - four victories in four matches, not one set dropped.

It ended with the Ravens at 10 points and happily holding second-place medals for photos Thursday.

"I'm ecstatic," said Ravens' No. 4 Racquel Hylton, who not only swept through the state tournament with a 6-0 record including a title at No. 2 doubles but finished the season 19-0.

"We had a little meeting last night and we said, 'Hey, we still have a chance to do something. So let's just play our best and see what happens.' "

Alonso coach Helen Soash said her team may have put too much pressure on itself before Wednesday's opening rounds, hence losing a couple of tight points and thus matches that might have cost it the team title (won at 13 points by Miami Dr. Krop).

"I think they wanted it so much that they thought they had to hit every shot perfectly," Soash said. "(Thursday) was a totally different attitude. We came out saying, 'Hey, we have nothing to lose. Let's play hard and enjoy it.' "

For Alonso's Megan Broderick, the defending Class 4A individual champion, the work is not quite done.

Broderick won the team No. 1 title Thursday but comes back today to try and win the overall title against the individual division champion.

"Megan is playing great right now and if she plays her game everything should be just fine," Soash said.

Scott Purks can be reached at purks@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3353.

[Last modified April 26, 2007, 22:03:00]