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Bulldogs gain revenge on Wildcats

Zephyrhills defeats Wesley Chapel 5-2 a little more than a month after losing to the Wildcats.

By STEVE LEE

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 23, 2001

ZEPHYRHILLS -- Unlike the first time Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel met this season, darkness did not force an early end to Thursday's rematch.

And unlike that Feb. 20 meeting, when Wesley Chapel took two three-set matches to win 5-1, Zephyrhills won three of the four matches that went to three sets.

That led the host Bulldogs to a 5-2 win and improved their home record to 7-0.

"I think the players are aware that you have to make a strong home stand," Zephyrhills coach Gary Davis said.

With Zephyrhills leading 3-2 and darkness looming after three of five singles matches went to three sets, a caravan of players, coaches and parents relocated from the high school to the Zephyrhills City Courts.

There, Chris Black and Chris Hinkle defeated Jimbo Cina and Jimmy Cracchiolo in No. 1 doubles 6-3, 6-2 to give Zephyrhills an insurmountable 4-2 lead.

The No. 2 doubles went to three sets before Zephyrhills' Jim Hubbard and Tim Carter beat Richie Griffin and Carlo Lucin 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

That marked the second three-set victory for Hubbard, who defeated his friend and former teammate, Cracchiolo, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 in No. 3 singles.

"It's awesome," Hubbard said of his first win in four tries against Cracchiolo, who transferred to Wesley Chapel in 1999. "He's like my rival.

"Hopefully, we still are (friends)."

"Our outstanding match was the No. 3 singles," Davis said. "That's always been one-sided."

Black gave the Bulldogs (13-2) an early advantage with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Cina in No. 1 singles. That marked the first time this season any opponent has won four games against Black, who improved to 13-0 in singles play.

"I just can't figure out his serves," said Cina, who is 3-2 at No. 1 singles after going 6-0 in No. 2 singles.

"The first ball he hits is tougher than the first ball I hit."

In No. 2 singles, Hinkle defeated Griffin 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 for the Bulldogs' first three-set victory.

Wesley Chapel (11-3), which has lost its past two matches, won its only three-set match at No. 4 singles.

Lucin recovered from a 1-6 first-set loss to win the next two 7-5, 6-4.

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