Tourney in strange position

By CAREY FREEMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 9, 2001

LECANTO -- For the last seven years, the Janyce A. Richardson doubles tournament has been one of the high school season's more attractive events. The attraction has been felt as far away as Gainesville and Pasco County, but this year looks to be a little different. The word just hasn't resonated with the local teams the way it used to.

As of Thursday, the cutoff for entry, organizer and former Lecanto girls coach Virginia Gilbert had received confirmation from just one school other than Lecanto.

"I'm kind of disappointed with the turnout," said Gilbert, who received an entry from Dunnellon for the tourney that starts Saturday. "But there were some conflicts.

"My cutoff was (Thursday) afternoon, but teams can show up on Saturday if they want," she said. "We'll do the seeding at 8 a.m. and start playing at 8:30."

Even more disappointing for fans is that Lecanto will be the lone representative of the three Citrus County programs.

Citrus is unable to attend based on FHSAA rules that prohibit a team from playing more than two matches a week. The Hurricanes face Lecanto and Central next week. Crystal River is opting out due to the illness of one coach and alternate plans of another.

Though Gilbert has opened the window of opportunity further by extending the deadline, few expect to see any late arrivals.

Invitations were extended to Citrus, Crystal River, Dunnellon, Hernando, Springstead, North Marion, Lake Weir and Ridgewood.

Central, which will have its prom tonight, voted not to attend the tournament.

HOME-TEAM WALKOVER? Given the lack of competition and the success of Lecanto's four boys and girls doubles teams, the Panthers would appear to be heavy favorites to sweep both Richardson titles.

If that happens, it would mark the first time in the eight-year history of the event that one program has swept the competition two consecutive seasons. The scenario seems likely as the Panthers will send four undefeated doubles squads into action. Leading the way for the boys is the No. 1 team of Rushil Rao and Naveen Reddy, two of Lecanto's more polished players who should cruise through their bracket. However, don't overlook the Panthers' No. 2 team of Samir Amin and John Ponds.

An unlikely duo, Ponds and Amin come from different tennis backgrounds but have had superior results, surrendering just one set this season.

Amin, a junior, is the more accomplished of the two. Ponds, a senior, counters with a less-refined but aggressive style that blends perfectly with that of his partner.

"(Ponds) has no fear of the net and no fear of people banging the ball at him," Panthers coach Lindsay Rodriguez said. "He has no fear and I like that. You have to have that to be a good doubles partner.

"Samir has a good all around game, and they work well together."

Equally impressive are the results of Lecanto's No. 1 and No. 2 girls squads, which underwent some reshuffling during the off-season.

Jessie Roberts, the daughter of coach Joan Roberts, remains No. 1 but has found a new partner in Mujiba Ansari. Both lost their former partners in the off-season and have teamed up for devastating results. "Jessie and Mujiba have played together since the fifth grade," Joan Roberts said.

Roberts' No. 2 team offers a mix of old and new with sophomore Jennifer Rimes and freshman Ashley Campbell.

"Ashley is a real good player," Roberts said. "As a freshman, she's shown the ability to play under pressure."

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