Many players enjoy a successful year

By NANCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 3, 2001

Here's a look back at some of the year 2000 highlights in tennis:

JUNIORS -- Kelly Nelson teamed with Jennifer Dent to win the USTA National Open Championship in the 18-and-under doubles division and qualified for the USTA Winter Championships in Arizona.

Nelson reached the semifinal round in the class for 16-year-olds in the Gator Bowl and the quarterfinal round of the Peach Bowl.

Rachel Silverberg reached the quarterfinals for players 12 in the Gator Bowl, was a consolation champion in the Peach Bowl and qualified for the USTA Hard Court National Championships.

Marc Sawyer battled to the final of the backdraw in the boys 14 Copper Bowl.

Tiffanie Kalvoda reached the 18 quarterfinal round of the Bush Florida Open, Kristofer Goddard the 18 doubles semifinal, Natalie Tirapelli the 18 round of 16, Nelson and Kalvoda the round of 16 in 18s doubles and R.J. Murray the round of 32 in the boys 18.

Advancing to national tournament action were Nelson, Kalvoda, Sawyer and Murray. Morgan Basil finished third in the Little Mo National Championships.

Players capturing at least one state-sanctioned singles title were Lauren Saltiel, Nachelle Proctor, Erin Heeder, Lindsay Dvorak, Bettina Pirker, Keegan Smith, Dana Fodor, Tirapelli, Amanda Berker, Alvaro Nunez, Michael Kopelman and Jose Tolentino.

Alexandria Liles won a girls 18 designated competition.

The Treasure Island Recreation, Tennis and Golf Center's 14 coed squad captured the USA Team Tennis State Championship and advanced to the Georgia/Florida Challenge.

Playing for TI Rec were Kaitlin Holdstein, Alexa Lavely, Amber Maggio, Kopelman, Chad Fuss and Jason O'Hara.

ADULTS -- Ed Hamilton advanced to the National Senior Games in the division for 60-64-year-olds, as well as in the 60-64 doubles with Dave Krebs.

Other qualifiers for the national event were Andy Chau and Robert Allen in 75-79 doubles.

Bob Meyerdierks won multiple singles titles in the 70 and 75 classes and played doubles with Krebs in the 60 division and Jim Mackey in 70 and 75.

Capturing at least two singles and doubles titles were Mike Panayotti, Hamilton, Jim Vuille, Tom Avirett, Robert Allen and Andy Chau.

Mike Reilly played in his first tournament in five years and won his first 50-division title. Jeff Chambers won the 35 state championship, Dan Brooks teamed with Jose Campos to win the USTA Intersectional Team Doubles in the division for players 30.

LEAGUES -- Nik Sukhasam, Matt Casey and Lori Intravichit each won two sessions of their respective A-1 singles divisions in the 20-year old St. Petersburg city league.

Michael Scharmer won the B-2 singles last winter, followed by the A-4 in the spring and A-2 in the summer. Janet Towns won the B-4 and moved up to take the B-3. John Powell did the same in B-3 and B-1.

Carol Strickland joined Carol Haskitt, Tonu Toomepuu, Diane Sawyer, Josh Morey, David Bernhart and Charlie Samaha among the recipients of the league's sportsmanship award.

Six adult league teams advanced to regional competition, including the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg's 4.0 and Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club's 4.5 women's squads and the Vinoy's 3.5, Feather Sound's 3.0 and Treasure Island Rec's 4.5 men's squads.

Feather Sound and Treasure Island Rec teams joined the Vinoy's 5.5 men's team at state. Treasure Island Rec and Feather Sound advanced to national competition.

Pinellas County played host to Florida's USA Senior and Super Senior Championships, which featured 82 senior teams and 52 super senior.

Pinellas representatives included super senior teams Shipwatch Tennis Club's 4.0 men and St. Petersburg Tennis Center's 3.5 men and senior women's squads from Feather Sound (3.0) and Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club (4.0).

SPTC won its state competition with captain Fred DeJohn, Charles Dorrell, Nick Karamessinis, Woody Woodbury, Bob Allen, Andy Chau, Michel Antoine and Brian Limberg.

Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club won the local 7.5 mixed doubles and the Racquet Club the 7.5 senior mixed to advance to the USA Mixed Doubles State Championships.

The four-year old South Pinellas Ladies Doubles League crowned Isla Del Sol B and Feather Sound A teams co-champions in its spring season, and Feather Sound captured the fall title.

Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club finished first in the Pinellas Area Doubles League among 24 teams. The Racquet Club was the overall winner in the Suncoast Ladies Doubles League and the A division overall winner.

CLUBS -- Isla Del Sol Country Club had an inaugural round-robin for women and named Kevin Quay its director.

Lakewood Country Club was renamed the St. Petersburg Country Club. Donna Dicus and Fred Guerrier won the mixed doubles title, and Lisa and Rick Simons took the 7.0 mixed.

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