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Former Crusader finds success as WolverineBy NANCY MORGAN © St. Petersburg Times, published May 23, 2001 When Danny McCain graduated from Canterbury in 1998, choosing a college was not difficult. Having grown up in Illinois, McCain wanted to return to the Midwest. His decision to attend Michigan, where he currently is a junior, came after meeting the tennis coach of 30 years, Brian Eisner. "Even before I came to school, I felt we had built a good relationship," McCain said of his coach. "I had been looking at the University of Illinois, but with the way I felt about Coach, I chose Michigan. I felt it was the best school in the Midwest for me." McCain also said he preferred a Midwest school because of the weather. "In Florida, I was always having physical problems when I played, either from dehydration or heat exhaustion," McCain said. "I feel comfortable with the weather here in Michigan and always have." McCain left Illinois when he was 15, but not before he had won the state singles title as a freshman. Before his sophomore year, McCain and his family moved to St. Petersburg, where his father, Dave, became the director at the Racquet Club. McCain credits his father with teaching him everything he knows. At Canterbury, he won another state singles title, two state doubles titles and a Florida Open title. "My dad is far and away the best coach I've ever had," McCain said. "He is technically a good coach and a real student of the game. I have learned virtually everything from him." As a junior, McCain was ranked as high as No. 4 in the 18-and-under singles in the state and No. 21 in the nation. In college, McCain has focused on helping the team. He played at No. 2 as a freshman and at No. 5 last year. This year at No. 3, McCain helped the Wolverines to a 12-9 record and NCAA tournament berth. They lost to Kentucky in the first round. "We would like to have done better, but we're a young team this year," McCain said. "We're not losing anyone to graduation, so we should be even stronger next year." McCain finished 10-7 in singles and 6-8 in No. 2 doubles. "I use to play either aggressive or defensive baseline tennis, depending on who I played," McCain said. "Now, I play aggressive tennis all the time." In July, McCain, a communications major, will attend the New York Film Academy. Ultimately, McCain would like to direct films. In the meantime, McCain will return to Florida after his experience at the film school to receive some top-notch training from his favorite coach, his father. And when McCain returns to Michigan for his senior season, his sister, Kelly, will begin her first season at Duke. JUNIOR NOTES: Yumi Hasagawa, Zoe Kent and Sarah Svoboda (14-and-under), Jessica Svoboda and Jamie Mera (12), Austin Krajicek (12), Connor VanElswyk and Brendan and Kimble McKay (14), Constantine Lazarov and Shaun Young (16) and Ryler DeHeart (18) will compete in this weekend's USTA Florida Section tournament in Delray Beach. Sukhwa Young of Wesley Chapel, boys 16 champion in the Easter Bowl, won the sportsmanship award for the tournament held in California. Miranda Guttierez and Brianna Williams finished first in a five-team girls 18 round robin competition in the doubles tournament at the Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club in Largo earlier this month. Kent and Nachele Proctor won the girls 12. ZTA NOTES: The Zephyrhills Tennis Association will host its "Tie-Breaker Memorial Day Social" Monday beginning at 8 a.m. at the McCannon Courts in Zephyr Park. Along with round robin competition, players serves will be measured by a radar gun and refreshments will be served. To enter, call Jean Stallcup at (813) 788-9243 or Barry Hersocovitch at (813) 518-9184. Free lessons for kids will be given. Call Roy Nyren at (813) 783-9309 for details. Free group lessons for adults also are available. PLAY FOR CHARITY: The 11th Annual Charity Tennis Tournament begins Friday at East Lake Woodlands. Men's, women's and mixed doubles are planned for the event, which benefits the Cancer Care, Research and Education at Morton Plant Mease Hospital. In the past 10 years, the tournament has raised more than $130,000. For information, call (727) 785-2212.
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