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By MIKE READLING
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 13, 2001
TEMPLE TERRACE -- Three teams entered the Western Conference championships with something to prove. King came in as the only undefeated team in the county. Gaither had only one loss, courtesy of the Lions, and Plant had two losses -- one to Gaither, one to King.
Thursday at the Whiteway Tennis Courts, Gaither made its statement.
The Cowboys, buoyed by wins at Nos. 1 and 2 singles and a sweep in the doubles matches, compiled nine points to outdistance King and Plant, which tied for second with seven, to win the title. Bloomingdale finished fourth with two points.
Gaither was paced by a strong match from its No. 1 player, Brianna Williams, who beat King's Linda Tien 6-4, 6-1.
"I have a very good player, but Brianna Williams played an unbelievable match today," King coach Carole Pressick-Cooper said.
Not to be outdone, teammate Liz Rodgers blew past Bloomingdale's Mandy Forshaw 6-0, 6-0 in No. 2 singles.
Plant got its first point at No. 3 singles as Christina Crago beat the Bulls' Lauren Martinez 6-4, 6-2. It followed with a win at No. 5 as Emily Redmond defeated King's Megan Shute 6-1, 6-0. Christiane Warwas, playing at No. 4 for King, handed Gaither its only loss of the day, beating Ashley Mitchell 6-0, 6-0.
Gaither won both doubles matches as Williams and Rodgers set the tone by winning their No. 1 match and ensuring the victory.
King played without its No. 3 player. Diana Ford suffered a torn muscle in her calf Wednesday during her semifinal. Ford's absence also hurt the Lions' No. 2 doubles team. "When we beat Gaither this season, it was because of my No. 2 doubles team," Pressick-Cooper said. "The injury hurt us. You can't beat Gaither's No. 1 and No. 2 and No. 1 doubles. They're unbeatable."
All three teams recognized the importance of a conference championship but said the importance of playing talented teams the week before the district tournament is more important.
"I'm not too disappointed," Plant coach Andy Hann said. "It doesn't hurt as far as any repercussions if you lose. It's good preparation for next week."