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Lady Wildcats faced year of rebuilding
By TERRY JONES © St. Petersburg Times, published May 25, 2001 NEW TAMPA -- From its first season four years ago, Wharton's girls tennis team has built a winning tradition. This year was no exception, even though the competition was maybe the toughest yet in Hillsborough County. This was a rebuilding year for the Lady Wildcats. The top six in the starting rotation consisted of one senior, two juniors, two sophomores and a freshman. Most of the players will return next season. Carrie Leitch, the senior captain and a four-year starter, constantly encouraged her team and was like an assistant coach on the court, coach Becky Gerberding says. For her efforts, her teammates selected Leitch the MVP for the 2001 season. She played the No. 2 singles position and was part of the No. 1 doubles team along with Jennifer Comegys. Leitch finished 7-2 overall for the season and second in the district tournament. She also finished second in doubles in the district meet. "Carrie will be hard to replace next year," Gerberding said. "She plans to attend Bowling Green State University next year and hopes to play on the team with her sister, Annie." As the No. 1 player, Comegys had the toughest position on the team and still did well even as a sophomore. She finished 9-3 in singles and 5-2 as part of the No. 1 doubles team. "Jennifer packs quite a punch for such a small girl," Gerberding said. The team's No. 3 player is Valentina Gomez, who played in Venezuela last year before moving to Tampa. She is left handed and has a strong back hand. She joined freshman Courtney Bogart to become one of the toughest No. 2 doubles teams in the county, Gerberding said. Gomez was the No. 5 youth player for 13-14 year olds in Venezuela last year. She went 10-1 for the season as the No. 3 in singles and joined with Bogart to win the district championship and a berth in the state meet in No. 2 doubles competition. They finished 8-2 for the season in doubles competition. Bogart won the super-spirit award for the Lady Wildcats. She finished the season 10-0 in number-four singles and placed second in the district tournament. "Courtney is a strong tournament-tough player, who will challenge for a higher position next season," Gerberding said. Rotating in and out of the No. 5 position were juniors Christine Pope and Rio Takeuchi. Pope, a three-year player for the team, is a fighter who never gives up, her coach said. She finished the season 7-2, which included a trio of three-set matches. Takeuchi, an exchange student from Japan, won the No. 5 district title. Gerberding described her as quick as a rabbit, running down everything coming her way. Beth Kirby and Lindsey Lydecke were the backups for the Wildcats. Kirby, a senior, is a beginner in the sport, yet chalked up a 2-0 record in doubles play. Lydecke, a junior and also a tennis newcomer, recorded a 4-0 record in doubles play. Gerberding said Lydecke is improving and should return next season.
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