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Everyone wins at Frenchy's classic

By NANCY MORGAN
Published November 22, 2007

Last weekend provided ideal weather for the more than 300 players in the 15th Annual Frenchy's Gumbo Tennis Classic. The three-day event at Clearwater's McMullen Tennis Complex was filled with lively competition, a plethora of refreshments and opportunities to raise money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters agency that serves Pinellas, Hernando and Citrus counties.

In mixed doubles, Pipe Douangboupha teamed with Jennifer Wisdo to win the 5.0 title in a one-match battle with Kim Cashman and David King. Other mixed winners included Lisa Haidermota and Mark Whitwell in the 4.5 with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Barbara Soto and Tim O'Brien; Kim Woodward and Cal Bowen in 4.0 over Lea Avery and Jerry Walker; Dina Glover and Robert Bennet in 3.5 over Barbara Brown-Emery and Craig Emery; and Kim and Danny Murphy in 3.0 with a 6-3, 7-6 win over C. Walker and Jillian Delucia.

"Last year I played in Frenchy's women's doubles and came in second," said Woodward, "so winning in mixed this year was even more fun. I'm from Winter Haven and like to come to this tournament because the competition is so good. It's always good to get out and play others to see just how well you can do."

Haidermota played in her third Frenchy's contest and Whitwell his fifth, but this was their first time playing mixed together, even though they practice together.

Haidermota was a double winner after claiming the women's 4.5 title with partner Joan Simmons with a two-set win over Julie McGuire and Linda Thomson.

Other women's doubles results include Beth Seith and Lisa Moyers defeating Sharon Dehnel and Theresa Lawrence in 4.0; Janie Griffith and Kathy Herndon beating Charlotte Tao and Jill Faw in 3.5; and Brooke Johannessen and Kathy Duncan outplaying Kim Murphy and Pam Postoll in 3.0.

Griffith has played in several Frenchy's events, but this was the first with partner Herndon.

"Kathy actually played in this about 15 years ago with my mom Liz Hopwood and they won the 3.5," Griffith said. "She and I were on the same Racqueteers team but had never played together until now. This weekend we just sort of clicked and were very patient. Jill and I play similarly, so I knew it would require patience on our part to do well."

Craig Hajdich and Nathan Walker won the men's 5.0 round robin after posting two third-set 10-point tiebreaker wins.

Matt Holsopple and Marvin Wilhite recorded a three-set win over Terry O'Grady and Tim O'Brien in the 4.5.

Greg Burke and Bill Hodges upset No. 1 seed Scott Turner and Philip Redstone of Vero Beach with a 6-3, 6-4 score in the 4.0.

"The weekend was great fun and the competition was tough," Hodges said. "Greg is an outstanding player and I've put together my game better coming into the end of the year, although we had to be at our best to win the final."

Bob Chene and Louis Preston won in straight sets over Dick Fletcher and Tony Colacchio in the 3.5 and Stephen Frey and Jerry Walker won in two in the 3.0.

Big Brothers Big Sisters events coordinator Sally Tietz was especially pleased with the charity event and estimates the goal of raising $25,000 - its highest - will be achieved.

LEAGUE NEWS: Florida 7.0 senior mixed doubles champion Treasure Bay reached the final four in last weekend's National Eastern Championships in Orlando. In flight competition, Treasure Bay beat USTA section Caribbean 2-1 and New England 3-0.

A 2-1 loss to Middle States placed Treasure Bay second in its flight to face Southern in a semifinal. Southern won 2-1 and went on to win the championship.

- The fall season of Pinellas County's Junior Team Tennis league concluded this month for 12 teams that included more than 100 players. Winners included Berkeley Prep, coached by Gary Baker, in the 18-and-under division; McMullen Tennis Complex, coached by Erick Chall, in the 16s; Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club with coach Ed LaVoie in the 12s.

The spring season begins in mid-February with registration beginning in mid-January.

- A Suncoast Tennis Foundation-sponsored USTA Jr. Team Tennis Camp wrapped up its season at Palm Harbor University High School with its first Turkey Tennis Tournament. The contest included 42 competitors divided among three divisions. Claiming the French Open beginner division was Taylor Mavrakos with Nicole Pastore runnerup. The U.S. Open intermediate division was won by Chris Grube, followed by Cody Jordan. In the Wimbledon advanced division, Blake Herold was named the winner with a two-way tie for runnerup between Rachel Tullius and Jordan Snyder.

- Twenty-eight players from eight schools participated in the North Pinellas USTA Ralleyball program at PHU.

The next season begins mid-February for elementary-age beginning players. For details, go to www.ourtennis.net or www.yellowballonline.com in January.

NET SHOTS: In the Pete Wolfberg 16th Annual Championships at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center area top seeds Anastasha Worlds won the girls 10, Jasen Norris the boys 10 and Ricky Symanski the 14.

- In this month's junior designated singles competitions held in the Miami area, unseeded Anastasia Nefedova won six matches on her way to the girls 12 title and Becky Bodine reached the girls 18 final.

- USTA Florida was named Racquet Sports Industry's 2007 USTA section of the year in recognition of its schools program success. There is at least one after-school tennis program in each of the state's 67 counties.

Florida is the first two-time winner of the RSI honor, having received the award in 2005.

COMING UP: The Turkey Bowl Super Series begins Saturday at Seminole Lake Racquet Club. Call 394-1733. ... The Pre-Holiday Junior Classic is Dec. 1-3 at the McMullen Tennis Complex. Call 669-1919. ... Ultimate Tennis League signups have opened for the spring season at www.ultimateTennis.com. The winter playoffs begin Dec. 8 at the Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club.

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 21, 2007, 21:22:49]