Ultimate Tennis names champs for fall season

By NANCY MORGAN, Times Correspondent
Published December 20, 2007

Earlier this month, Ultimate Tennis named 10 Tampa Bay singles champions in women's competition in its fall season playoffs and 12 men's. Regional champions - the winner between Tampa Bay and Southwest champions - were decided in six women's and men's divisions.

Among the Tampa Bay winners were Deb Cangialosi in the 3.0, Jennifer Ramella 3.5, Deanne Horn 4.0-minus, Judi Morris 5.5, Gerry Barna 5.5 and Craig Hajdich 6.0-minus. Cangialosi and Ramella also claimed regional titles.

"I turned 54 the weekend of the playoffs, so winning was extra special for me," Cangialosi said. "I took up tennis late in life and have played in the league three years, so winning was quite an honor and feat for me."

Cangialosi moved from Boston to the Eastlake area five years ago and started tennis as a novice. With lessons from Jake Bryan at Eastlake and Jim Davide from the Westchase area, the pharmaceutical sales rep has developed an all-court game.

Even though Ramella had never played tennis until three years ago, she has been unbeaten in her two seasons in the league.

"I got started playing after our last child was born," Ramella said. "I'm looking forward to playing in the 4.0-minus division."

Professional singer Horn got her start playing USTA tennis while entertaining on military bases in Hawaii in the 1980s. Six years ago, she began playing Ultimate Tennis and then stopped until last fall.

"I was surprised I did as well as I did, because I lost my first two matches in the league," Horn said. "But then I came back and finished okay."

Judi Morris hadn't played a singles match in 12 years when she signed up for the 5.5 division in Ultimate Tennis, but the teaching pro didn't lose a match during the season. In the final, Morris beat Liz Leigh in straight sets.

"I've been teaching tennis about 15 years and the good thing about teaching is that you're able to pick out people's weaknesses better," Morris said. "I'm teaching full time at Innisbrook now, but I still love playing."

Barna has played in the league several years, but this is his first win in 5.5. With 12 players in the division, Barna was the No. 5 seed going into the playoffs. After a three-hour, three-set semifinal with Jeff Mars, Barna won the final in straight sets against Jeff Mahnke.

"By far, among the four players in the semifinal round, I was the heaviest and the slowest," said Barna, "and often the guys are about 20 years younger. But I'm still playing them, and this year I'll be in some of the super senior tournaments in the 55-59 age division."

About 800 players participated in the Tampa Bay fall season and 300 more in southwest Florida. With markets in Atlanta, Austin and San Francisco, there are about 7,000 players nationwide in the 15-year-old league. This spring, markets will be added in Dallas, San Antonio, Texas, Houston, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego with Miami, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale joining in the summer.

Registration for the spring season is open until Jan. 30. The season begins Feb. 16. For more details, go to www.ultimatetennis.com.

LEAGUE NEWS: Claiming division wins in a Fall Mixed Doubles League were Countryside 7.0 and Eastlake 8.0 in adult action and Treasure Island 7.5 in super senior competition.

BEACH TENNIS: More than 100 participants attended a free Beach Tennis Tampa Bay exhibition at Countryside led by club director Dave Preston and coordinated by Mike Edison, Steve Culver and J.T. Thatch.

Beach tennis is a combination of beach volleyball and tennis. The three-year-old sport is played on a regulation beach volleyball court with a 6-foot, 2-inch net. With a tennis racket, the ball is served diagonally across the net - with just one chance to get it in - and then only volleys are allowed.

For more details, go to www.usabeachtennis.com.

NET SHOTS: In this month's Christmas Classic at the Seminole Lake Tennis Center, Alyssa Bellini won the girls 18-and-under division. Finalists included Alexis Franco in the 10, Carolina Barnett 14, Parker Hayslett boys 12 and Luke Alexander 14. Skyler Fanning collected the boys 10 consolation.

TOURNEY OF CHAMPS: The Suncoast Tennis Foundation, the county's charitable volunteer organization, is hosting its sixth annual Tournament of Champions on Jan. 18-20 at Eastlake Woodlands. Eligible players are winners, finalists, semifinalists and consolation winners from charity tournaments Frenchy's, Eastlake Woodlands Memorial Day, Stroke for Stroke, Humane Society of North Pinellas, Pretty in Pink and the fifth annual Tournament of Champions.

Cost to enter is $45 per person for one event and all players are guaranteed at least two matches.

Register online at www.ourtennis.net. For questions, contact tournament director Rick Workman, 785-2212.

COMING UP: The New Year's Super Series begins Dec. 28 at Seminole Lake Tennis Center. Call 394-1733.

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 December 19, 2007, 21:48:38]